Have we carefully looked into the candidates for District Judge?
There may be names you do not recognize, those you do. Let's be honest; do we vote based on what is familiar? Or do you feel you need to be more informed?
Running for District Judge means, not only are your credentials up for grabs, but your character as well in the public arena. A smiling, handshaking candidate's first line of attack is to bowl us over with the credentials: schooling, memberships, former posts, etc. That's nice. Bottom line is: how a candidate has held and behaved while holding those posts is of utmost important to us. Once you've chosen to run for a public position of District Justice, you have crossed over to the grand realm of public service [Not that local solicitor's positions are not; it's just that questionable behavior is ofted overlooked at the local level - much as the federal government assumed that each family 'takes care of it's own' before rampid abuse forced them to turn an eye to the problem.] Is the role for everyone?
In this day and age, voters are wise. We have learned the hard way and are all too aware: credentials alone, do not an honest person make. Does even the best attorney, for example, have what it takes to be an honest judge? It's worth noting that defense attorneys, for example, soon learn that 'winning' a case is not necessarily about getting to the truth, but about how a story is presented. It rather goes with the territory.
And so, as candidate, are you honest? Fair? Do you act objectively, and not in favor of those you 'know'? Is your pattern to 'reward' those who hold you in high esteem, or - for that matter - who plaster a bumper sticker on their car with your name on it?
Or, though you may appreciate the flattery, do you have the integrity to act honestly and fairly concerning legal and straightforward justice?
Character begins with honesty.
Let's take a look at just a few anecdotal situations.
Williams Township Solicitor Brian Monahan, who is running for the position of District Justice, recently attended a Meet the Candidates assembly in Easton Tuesday night (5/1/07). Before the meeting was over and everyone had a chance to speak, the Township Solicitor apologized profusely and begged out of the meeting, noting that he had to leave to "...pick up his daughter and head home to help her with her homework." What a warm thought.
That's why we were all the more surprised when, 15 minutes after leaving the Meet the Candidates rally, he was spotted at his local establishment tossing down a few drinks with friends. Now, don't get us wrong. It's not that we don't feel everyone has a need to throw a few back from time to time. It's just that - well, why tell an audience of folks who've taken time out of their evening to come and learn about who you are - that you are headed home to do homework with your daughter, when in fact - you need a couple of good stiff drinks and just want to get the heck out of there so as not to hang around a minute later than necessary?
Interestingly, throughout the evening, Mr. Monahan seemed to like referring to the position of District Judge as "DJ". An amusing colloquialism. Given his penchant for presenting the truth in - how shall we say - its 'most favorable' light, we can't help wondering whether perhaps Mr. Monahan is of the misconception that a respected position such as District Judgeship is less about honest public service ...than it is about 'spin'.
It's a question of credibility.