OCCUPATIONAL BACKGROUND: Attorney at Law in Woodburn since 1980

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: Cleveland State University, John Marshall College of Law, Juris Doctor, 1978; Kent State University, Graduated with a B.S. in Education with Honors, 1969.

PRIOR GOVERNMENTAL EXPERIENCE: March 1, 1981-present, Municipal Judge for the City of Woodburn; January 6, 1987-present, Justice of the Peace for North Marion County.

Being a Justice of the Peace requires the skill to treat people with respect while maintaining the dignity of the courtroom and enforcing the laws of the State of Oregon. This traffic court is usually the general public’s only contact with the judicial system. If you should have to appear in traffic court that experience should make you feel that you were treated fairly and with consideration. Justices of the Peace serving their local communities should be accessible to all people who have business before the court. Each individual needs to be treated equally and fairly before the law.

In civil cases, the small claims department gives citizens a place to have their small claims heard locally. I believe that all such cases should be heard within 45 days after the claim has been served on the opposing side. Everyone deserves the right to speedy justice.

As Justice of the Peace, my goal is to be firm but fair to all those who appear in court. I want to give each person an opportunity to speak in court and time to plead their case, while at the same time I uphold the laws of the state.