The News and Tribune - ELECTION Q&A 2008: Floyd Superior Court 3

Sat, Nov 22 2008

Politics/Government |

Published: October 10, 2008 01:37 pm

ELECTION Q&A 2008: Floyd Superior Court 3

Editor’s Note: Submissions appear as the candidates submitted them without editing. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Except where noted, questionnaires are only being published for contested races.

Richard R. Fox

• POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Republican

• AGE: 53

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: Floyd Central High School; Indiana University (Double Major: Forensics And History); Valparaiso University (Doctor Of Juris Prudence)

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: I have practiced law in the Indiana Court System for 21+ years. I have both civil and criminal jury trial experience. In addition to my general law business, I have represented the following government entities:

Current Political Positions: Attorney for the Floyd County Commissioners; Attorney for the Floyd County Solid Waste Board; Attorney for the Town of Greenville; Attorney for the New Albany Township Fire District; Attorney for the New Albany-Floyd County Parks Board; Attorney for the Floyd County Stormwater Board

Former Political Positions: New Albany City Attorney; Attorney for the New Albany Board of Public Works and Safety; Attorney for the New Albany Police Merit Commission; Attorney for the New Albany Economic Development Commission; Attorney for the New Albany Building Commission; Attorney for the New Albany Police Pension Board; President and member of the Board of the New Albany; Flood Control District Member of Board of Directors of the Floyd County Emergency Management Board

• FAMILY NOTES: 2 children: My son, Joe Fox, is employed as an actuary at Humana, and his wife, sarah, teaches at Highland Hills Middle School. My daughter, Kristi Fox, is pursuing a law degree in San Francisco, CA.

Parents: Read and Connie Fox live in Floyds Knobs, IN.

Siblings: Sister, Jennifer Fox, lives in New Albany, IN, and brother, Bruce Fox, lives in Dallas, TX

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR THIS POSITION? “I am running because I am the most qualified for the position in all respects including administration and rendering legal decisions that conform to the law. I have broad experience in representing clients in both civil and criminal law. Further, I have the business experience to make sure the court runs on time. I also think that the residents of Floyd County deserve decisions to be rendered in an expedious manner.”

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING THIS POSITION AND WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO RESOLVE IT? “The most important issue facing the court is hiring a qualified professional staff and be able to hit the ground running. I have discussed the court’s needs with qualified candidates, and I will be prepared to immediately interview and fill administrative positions in the court.”

WHAT UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION WILL YOU MAKE TO LOCAL OFFICE? “My extensive and broad knowledge of different areas of the law combined with over 21 years of courtroom experience will give me the ability to process cases in an expedious manner. In addition, I have served as judge pro tem in Floyd County. Lastly, I was a candidate for a position on the Indiana Court of Appeals in 2007.”

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A NON-TRAFFIC COURT CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES? IF SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN ALL RELEVANT INSTANCES. “No.”

Maria D. Granger

• POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Democrat

• AGE: 39

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: Doctorate of Jurisprudence, Indiana University School of Law; Bachelor of Science, Indiana University; Courtroom trial practice training at the National District Attorney’s (Prosecutor’s) Association, and Continuing Legal Education coursework.

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Licensed to practice law before the Indiana Supreme Court, Indiana Court of Appeals, Indiana Trial Courts, United States Federal Courts for Northern and Southern Districts;

— Indiana Supreme Court Hearing Officer chosen by Chief Justice Shepard to conduct Attorney Discipline cases.

— Superior and Circuit Court Referee chosen by Judges to conduct family law cases.

— Professional Judge Memberships: American Judges Association and Association of Women Judges

— Judge Pro Tem: Floyd Circuit Court, Floyd County Court, and Scott Circuit Court.

Adjunct Professor, evening Business Law Course, Indiana University Southeast.

— Deputy Prosecuting Attorney - prosecuting crimes in Floyd and Clark counties.

— Attorney, Floyd County Office of Family and Children handling cases of child abuse and neglect.

— Private law practice: acquired historical building (former license branch) now Granger Law Office at 415 East Main Street, New Albany - helping property owners, families, small businesses and estate matters in Southern Indiana.

— Professional Attorney Memberships: American, Indiana and Floyd County Bar Associations.

— Advisory Board Member, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Opportunity (ICLEO) chosen by Chief Justice Shepard to help disadvantaged college graduates get a legal education.

— Secretary, Board of Directors, Legal Services Organization of Indiana 1997-2000 providing legal services to people in poverty.

— Woman of Achievement 2006.

— Civic Service: Judge volunteer, “We the People” program, New Albany-Floyd County students; Associate Member, Fraternal Order of Police; NAACP; One Southern Indiana; American Legion Auxiliary; Multicultural Advisory Council for Community Foundation; Business and Professional Women; Frank C. Denzinger Scholarship Committee; Floyd County Women Democrat Club; Knights of Columbus Cardinal Ritter Council #1221 Ladies Auxiliary; Kappa, Kappa, Kappa and the BPO Elks Lodge 270

— Further details on GrangerforJudge.com.

• FAMILY NOTES: “I am proud of my husband and dearest friend, Steve who is retired after nearly 25 years of military service in the United States Army. He continues to serve military service members and their families as a Family Assistance Specialist with Indiana Family Readiness Programs. Our family also includes three children, Drake who lives at home, Sarah, a nursing student at Southern Illinois University, Steven, an army medic who gave his life for our country in Iraq on August 8, 2006, and one grandson, Andrew. We attend St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

I grew up in a loving family with few advantages. My working parents instilled in me strong family values of Integrity, Fairness and Respect. I am the first in my family to graduate from law school, become a Supreme Court Hearing Officer, Superior and Circuit Court Referee, Adjunct Professor or attorney. I help individuals from similar backgrounds pursue their dream of becoming a lawyer through service with the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Opportunity (ICLEO). Chief Justice Shepard chose me three years ago to serve with him on this seven-member board. My family and life experience strengthens my ability to listen patiently and to understand.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR THIS POSITION? “I am running for Judge to build Floyd Superior Court 3 on Integrity, Fairness and Respect and lead our new court with Real Judge Experience. Some fear the courts believing they will be treated unjustly because they are not connected with the ‘right people.’ Others believe they cannot get fair treatment because the judge is ’friends’ with the opposing party or lawyer. I refuse to play favorites. I am not influenced or obligated by family, business or political connections. Whether rich or poor, powerful or powerless, we are all equally important under the law and deserve honest, fair and impartial treatment. I am free to be a judge for all citizens and build a stable court that serves justice. My journey to judicial service as a Supreme Court Hearing Officer and Superior and Circuit Court Referee remains focused on fairness not politics. I regularly hear both sides of the case and make fair decisions under the law based upon the facts and evidence. You can be sure that as your judge I will listen to you carefully and treat you with integrity, fairness and respect.”

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING THIS POSITION AND WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO RESOLVE IT? “The most important issue facing Superior Court 3 is helping to decrease the caseload burden in Floyd County’s court system which contributes to overcrowding in our jail. Real Judge Experience offers proven decision-making and is the most effective solution. I preside over about 600 cases each year and have conducted more than 3200 court hearings from the bench. With over five years of experience as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, I know the procedure and issues in criminal cases. I understand the importance to you of being tough on deserving, repeat and violent offenders. And, I know the court must move these cases efficiently while insuring individual rights. If necessary, I will handle criminal cases of individuals in jail outside normal courthouse hours, so those cases can be completed in a timely manner to reduce the tax burden on Floyd County residents. As Judge, my duty is to decide disputes fairly and timely according to the law. In doing so, I will take care to preserve your tax dollars for necessary expenses that help the court better serve you. By choosing me for judge, we will build a court with the power to solve problems and serve justice.”

WHAT UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION WILL YOU MAKE TO LOCAL OFFICE? “I am ready, willing and capable of leading Superior 3 with Real Judge Experience. My work earned the recognition of judges as their choice to be a Supreme Court Hearing Officer and Superior and Circuit Court Referee. I am the only candidate who is already doing the work of judge making legal rulings and fair decisions. Each year I preside over about 600 court cases and have conducted over 3200 court hearings in addition to my law practice. I am the only candidate with more than five years of service as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney fighting crime, safeguarding children and elderly from abuse, and collecting thousands of dollars in child support. Before judges and juries, I led the prosecution of hundreds of criminal cases. I received special training for Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys in conducting trials in any type of criminal case from the National District Attorney’s Association. I am also the only candidate experienced inside the classroom as an Adjunct Professor of Business Law at Indiana University Southeast. I am committed to judicial service and the most uniquely and highly qualified candidate to lead Floyd Superior Court 3 and run a professional court on day one just as I do now.”

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A NON-TRAFFIC COURT CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES? IF SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN ALL RELEVANT INSTANCES. “No.”