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Sunday, May 30, 2010
Ind. Courts - Walkerton town judge bids farewell
Alicia Gallegos of the South Bend Tribune has a feature today on Judge Roger Huizenga. Some quotes:
WALKERTON — Driving along U.S. 6 between LaPorte and Bremen, motorists might miss the tiny courthouse nestled between the Corner Cup Cafe and the former Shady Lane Bowling.Perched near the town's single stoplight, the court is marked only by a small sign on its front door, reading, "Walkerton Courthouse."
But although the building and its activities might be considered "small-time," most anyone in town will tell you quite the opposite is true for the judge who has ruled here for 15 years.
The effect of Judge Roger Huizenga has been large in this small town, Walkerton residents say, and his message powerful. * * *
The town court primarily deals with traffic infractions, along with some lesser drug offenses. In the years since Huizenga has been judge, he says the caseload has grown from 50 violations a month to 300.
Filtering the lower level cases takes a significant burden off South Bend courts, Huizenga says, and also brings revenue to Walkerton. In addition to the town, tickets come from North Liberty, Lakeville, the Department of Natural Resources and New Carlisle.
Although Huizenga is modest when asked about his accomplishments, residents say the court has improved beyond measure.
"He has transformed it to a system of defendants that are quickly brought in," new judge Dan Chamberlin says. "His court runs very smoothly."
Town council vice president Gene Reese adds that the judge has been instrumental in growing the town's general fund and building relationships with local police departments.
"We did not have a positive balance in the budget before," Reese says. "He's spent a lot of time developing relationships with other entities. He's worked hard to build up this court. * * *
Huizenga says being a small-town judge means being familiar with most of the violators who pass through the court and making time to speak to each individually.
"We're different from South Bend because we know all the kids," the judge says. "We can talk to these kids much more one on one."
Huizenga shakes his head as he recalls preventable accidents or deaths that have affected Walkerton residents.
"Sometimes I wonder, maybe if they would have gotten a ticket and we would have gotten the opportunity to talk to them ..." the judge trails off.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on May 30, 2010 09:26 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts