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Saturday, October 27, 2007

Ind. Courts - "Two fresh faces run for judge: Goshen will get first new judge since '84"

That is the headline to a story today in the Elkhart Truth, reported by Tim Vandenack. Some quotes:

GOSHEN -- The race for judge of Goshen City Court features an Elkhart County prosecutor, Republican Gretchen Hess Lund, and longtime local attorney Joe Lehman, a Democrat.

Neither has held elective office, so it'll be a first for whoever gets the nod from voters on Nov. 6 for the part-time post.

Moreover, the race is something of a watershed. With incumbent Cecilia McGregor sitting it out because of health reasons -- subs have filled in as city judge since October 2005, when she took medical leave due to multiple sclerosis -- the winner will be the first new city judge here since 1984. That's when McGregor, who won re-election five times, was first appointed.

Lehman, 58, who has run his own general practice since 1990 save for a three-year stint with another law firm, touts his years of experience.

"My success as a local attorney as well as my 16 years of serving the public in the Goshen community make me the best candidate," he said.

Lund, 32, who handles felony child support cases as an assistant county prosecutor, says resolving disputes is her strength, making her a natural fit for the judgeship.

"Ultimately that's what a good judge should do -- come up with good resolutions to things that happen in our community," she said.

Goshen City Court came under fire last year by some who said the body should be eliminated because of the cost of running it. Both hopefuls, however, back its continuation, saying the court is vital as a means of handling local disputes locally.

City court handles misdemeanors, traffic infractions, ordinance violations and other such cases originating in Goshen.

A second story, this one written by John Kline of the Goshen News and published Friday, begins:
The two candidates for Goshen City Court Judge fielded numerous questions Thursday evening at the Goshen Chamber of Commerce as part of the 2007 Judge Candidates Forum.

Republican candidate Gretchen Hess Lund was joined by Democratic candidate Joseph L. Lehman in discussing their campaigns and highlighting their goals for the City Court Judge office if elected this November.

“I felt I was qualified for this position not only on my expertise, but also on my energy,” said Lund, who has served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office since May of 2006.

Lehman also has a strong history in Goshen, having graduated from Goshen Middle School, High School and Goshen College and spending 16 of his 24 years as an attorney in the Goshen area.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on October 27, 2007 04:19 PM
Posted to Indiana Courts