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Family court "Code of Silence"
Saw this on another newsgroup and thought some here might find it
interesting. http://www.middletown.com/news/newsf.../24/1059026764 .15255.0122.2313.html (Reproduced for educational purposes only) -------------- Fox takes GOP heat By Mary Lolli, Butler County Bureau HAMILTON Butler County Commissioner Michael Fox's public criticism of the county's domestic relations and juvenile court systems has landed him in hot water with Republican Party leaders. In a private meeting this week, Fox says he was told to back off or risk losing the party endorsement when he's up for re-election next year. Party leaders confirmed meeting with Fox twice in the last week to discuss his public criticism of fellow Republican officeholders but deny threatening his political future. Carlos Todd, former longtime GOP chairman, said he organized the meeting in an effort to get Fox and Domestic Relations Judge Sharon Kennedy to discuss the issues between them and arrive at some kind of a decision that would be satisfactory to both sides. The leadership was wanting to work some problems out so that there wouldn't be any problems with endorsements, Todd said. But Fox said the meeting took a wrong turn. Carlos made it clear that he was deeply distressed that I had been publicly discussing reforms for the courts and that that was going to adversely affect my ability to get the party's endorsement, Fox said. In the lengthy report A Culture of Secrecy, Fear and Judicial Abuse, released in May, Fox detailed a study of divorce and custody cases that have gone through one or both of the court systems. Fox cites 13 specific problems in the courts and 31 recommendations for change, including merging the two court systems into a family court. Fox's report also cites incidences where witnesses, attorneys or parties were caught misstating facts about cases and the courts issued no sanctions and, in many cases, allowed inaccuracies to remain a part of the record without correction. The report also notes instances where inadequate or no record of proceedings was kept and parties were excluded from hearings where decisions were being made about their divorces. Although the majority of cases outlined in Fox's report had been handled by Domestic Relations Administrative Judge Leslie Spillane, Judge Kennedy has been the vocal defender of the court and its procedures. Juvenile Court Judge David Niehaus has declined to respond to Fox's report. It would be my desire and wishes that (Fox) and the domestic relations judges would come to some sort of an agreement and put aside personal differences for the good of the (GOP) and their constituents of Butler County, Todd said. GOP Chairman Joe Schwarz said the purpose of the meeting was not to discuss the endorsement of Mike Fox, but rather to discuss internal problems between him and other Republican elected officials and to find some meeting ground. Schwarz said he had no problem with Fox's report or with counter-criticism Judge Spillane launched over what she believes are excessive travel expenditures by Fox. They have a right to express their opinions, Schwarz said. But the party does get concerned when the issues become personal. There's nothing wrong with a public debate as long as it doesn't get personal. However, Schwarz said the GOP has not made a request that Spillane resolve her differences with Fox over the travel issues. She can discuss that publicly. If she feels that's improper, then it's her right and duty as a citizen to bring it up and point it out, he said. Quite frankly when there is cooperation between elected officials, the winners are the people of Butler County, Schwarz said. That's who elects them and that's who should be served. Mr. Fox's endorsement is not being challenged by the leadership of the GOP, Schwarz said, adding the GOP will begin endorsement screenings for the 2004 primary election in September. Wendell Judd, a member of the GOP policy committee, chairman of its bylaws committee and long-time chairman of the Fairfield Regional GOP, disagrees. Judd attended the private meeting. While Carlos Todd is no longer part of the party leadership, he remains one of the most influential people in the GOP, Judd said. Carlos told Mike to back off and said if he didn't (Carlos) could not support his re- election bid. I've been in this party 40 years, and why people do things they do, I don't know. Carlos has been a good party member and brought about good things for the party, Judd said. But, in all my years with the party I have never been to a meeting like this. I wish it hadn't happened. I know this isn't going to read good and it's going to upset some people but I'm not going to lie, Judd said. I don't lie and I'm not going to start now. Mike Fox's political future was threatened over this disagreement with the domestic relations court. Judge Kennedy and Hamilton City Councilman Ed Shelton, who were also present for the GOP meeting with Fox, did not return telephone messages left for them on Wednesday. Fox said he doesn't intend to abandon his efforts to seek court reform. I believe the concerns that I expressed are concerns shared by a lot of people and I'm hopeful that, as a result of the work I've done, we will see changes not only in Domestic Relations, but also Juvenile Court, he said. I don't mean any ill-will towards anyone in doing the report or lobbying for reforms. There are thousands of children's lives affected by those two courts. I care about those kids and those families and the experiences they have. If the passion for helping those children and families creates a barrier to my getting an endorsement from the Republican Party, that's a sad day for the party, Fox said. I'm a great believer that you live and die by your ideas. The whole heart, the lifeblood of democracy is debate and discussion of ideas. That is the lifeblood of our system and it can be done in a respectful and non- disagreeable way and the people are well-served when that occurs. Published 07.24.03 |
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