No one volunteers to come to court, except for marriage and adoption. Yet sometime in one’s life, it seems that everyone will make an appearance – whether as a litigant, a witness or a juror.
How do I know this? I worked in our county’s court system from high school until retirement. I worked in the Clerk of Court’s (as a deputy) for 19 years, then as Judge Kirk’s assistant for 16 years. I saw with a bright light, all aspects of our court system.
I’m writing this letter because I have an opinion about who is the best candidate for election as our next circuit judge. It is Ed Jelinski, and I’d like to share my reasons. First, I’ve known each of the candidates for many years and think each is a good person and citizen. If that were the only criteria for a good judge, then selection of the best would be immaterial.
Picking the best candidate is critically important because it will continue the wonderful reputation that our county’s court system has developed. The experience and expertise of our judges is recognized as one of our state’s best. Judge Hoffmann’s retirement has created a hole that needs to be filled by someone who can excel.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not just a judge’s job performance that makes an effective court system because a court system doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Not one of our judges would have been allowed to develop their own careers unless you, the voters, had chosen them. An election is really just a contract, albeit a public one. The consideration for that contract is the public’s faith in a person to do the best job as a judge in order to maintain societal order. Peace and tranquility of society is not just personal security but it is order in commercial dealings, familial upset, and juvenile matters, to name a few.
I could try to debunk a lot of stereotypes that exist about going to court but I think it is enough to say this: When your time comes to attend and if you might be one of those people who say, “I don’t want to be here,” wouldn’t you want the best looking at you from the bench. Of course you would.
Please vote for Ed Jelinski. He is the most experienced candidate, having practiced all types of law. He has experience as a prosecutor, defense attorney, family law, and real estate practitioner, and all aspects of a private civil practice. Ed will listen to each person who appears in front of him. He will be fair, honest and direct in his decision making. My experience tells me that what will make you proud of Ed as one of your Waupaca Circuit Court Judges is the one indispensable trait that all great trial judges possess. Common sense.
Thank you for considering my thoughts and please vote for Ed Jelinski in the Feb. 18 primary and the April 1 general elections.
Beverly Olson
Waupaca