Who you should vote for (and who you should not vote for) in the coming election for Judge in Montgomery County - Very Important Message

VOTE FOR JUDGE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

On Tuesday, November 8, 2011, there are two slots for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Montgomery County. Four candidates are running for two slots. Your vote is more important than ever because voter turnout will be low, and since there won't be that many people who vote in Montgomery County for Judge, your vote could make a difference. Who would have thought that a few votes in Florida would determine the Presidency?

Also, a Judge in Montgomery County is more likely to impact, positively or negatively, your life, or the life of a friend or loved one, then the actions of a Senator or President. There are only a handful of judges, and they determine the validity of laws passed by the legislature and local bodies (such as zoning laws). They determine which accused criminals are innocent and which are guilty and how long they will remain in prison (at a tremendous cost to taxpayers). They determine custody issues, child abuse issues, medical malpractice issues (and can affect whether doctors actually decide to practice in this county). They determine business disputes, and can affect the jobs of thousands of employees in a single lawsuit. Judges have tremendous power, with limited public scrutiny or oversight, and in fact, the standard of review is often "abuse of discretion" which means that if appealed, an appellate Court will rarely upset a lower Court's findings.

There are three candidates for Judge who will probably, in my opinion, make good Judges (two Democrats and one Republican). There is one, a Republican, who in my opinion will make one of the worst judges Montgomery County will ever have (and as a lawyer who practiced law for almost 1/4 a century who knows many judges and hundreds of other lawyers, I am in a position to know).

So in Order of my preference, I suggest you vote in this election and vote for: (1) Cheryl Austin [Democrat] - My favorite as she is a well rounded experienced, intelligent, honest former Navy Lieutenant; (2) Richard Haaz [Democrat]; then (3) Maureen Coggins [Republican]. Do Not Vote for Dan Clifford [Republican].