Editor’s note: Each day this week, the Journal-Tribune will feature coverage of contested races and issues throughout the county ahead of the March 17 primary election.
Today the series begins with statements submitted, by Sharon Robinson-Walls and Rick Rodger, the two republican candidates are competing in the Union County Probate and Juvenile Judge race.
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Sharon Robinson-Walls, 58, currently serves as Chief Magistrate of the Union County Probate and Juvenile Court.
“My work experience makes me uniquely qualified and prepared for this position.
In 1984, I began my professional career as a school teacher at the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center as a Reading Specialist and English/Communications teacher, then at Mechanicsburg High School as an art teacher. During those 7 years as a teacher, I also worked at the Juvenile Detention Center (now known as the Central Ohio Youth Center) during the evenings, the weekends, and the summer months, substituting for their school teachers and other staff as needed. With my teaching and detention experience, I was hired in 1993 by our former Probate and Juvenile Judge, Gary F. McKinley, as a Union County Juvenile Probation Officer. While a Probation Officer, I attended and graduated from the evening program at Capital Law School. In 1999 Judge McKinley appointed me as Magistrate. Thereafter, I became the Chief Magistrate of the Union County Probate and Juvenile Court and I now have 20 years of judicial experience, serving under both Judge McKinley and, presently, under Judge Charlotte Coleman Eufinger. I preside over numerous hearings in this Court, many involving multiple litigants and attorneys.
As the Chief Magistrate, I am very aware of the challenges of the populations we serve. Many parents in our Children’s Protective Services cases struggle with substance abuse, which affects their ability to care for their children. Many parties in both Probate and Juvenile Court cases struggle with mental health and developmental issues that thwart their ability to realize a satisfying and fulfilling life. As your next Judge, I will partner with the treatment community to identify, implement, and improve services to address these issues.
As a former Probation Officer, a current Magistrate, and a life-long conservative Republican, I firmly believe that people should receive consequences for their actions. If laws are violated, offenders should receive sanctions commensurate to the level of offense. While I will institute a series of graduated sanctions and programming in our Court to provide the appropriate consequences for the offenses adjudicated, I also firmly believe that if people strive to better themselves and make good choices, positive consequences should be realized. The families and our community both benefit when the Court helps each child and family identify a concrete path to a law-abiding, healthy and self-sufficient lifestyle. Each child and family should have the opportunity to be prosperous if they put in the necessary effort.
The strongest skill I bring to the bench is my ability to connect with the parties to our cases, to quickly identify their unique strengths and weaknesses, and to creatively craft decisions that provide individualized consequences, both positive and negative, for that specific child or family member.
I live in Union County and this community is my home. These are our children and our families. As your Judge, it will be my duty to take care of our citizens and ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in the community. I appreciate your support in the upcoming primary election. Thank you.”
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Rick Rodger, 58, currently serves as an Assistant Union County Prosecutor.
“As your next Probate and Juvenile Judge, I will bring the unique experience and qualifications gained while practicing law and as the Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Union County. The public and private clients I have represented in the Probate and Juvenile Court and all Courts in Union County, Ohio give me an understanding of the impact a strong Juvenile Court Judge can have.
It is my experience that strong families build strong communities. Without rehabilitating children and holding them accountable for their actions, the cycle of criminal behavior continues. To break this cycle, I will work to correct the issues which brought them before the Court.
Early assessments will identify family issues. Working with community partners such as the Department of Job and Family Services, and mental health and treatment providers, the Court can strengthen the family and rehabilitate the child before the child becomes an adult criminal.
During my 28-year career as a prosecutor, I have seen children “graduate” from Juvenile Court, to go on and commit serious crimes as an adult. My primary goal as judge will be to reduce the number of children returning to the criminal justice system.
Accountability is a key in changing juvenile behavior. Those appearing before the Court must be held accountable for their actions. By balancing the need for punishment with the goal of rehabilitation and holding juveniles accountable our community will benefit. Victims of crime deserve recognition and support and will have a voice in my court.
Children who are abused or neglected and need court intervention to protect them from harm. Working with the schools, the Department of Job and Family Services, and other community partners, the family unit will be preserved.
Seniors often need the Court’s help and protection from abuse and neglect. I have filed many Adult Protective Services cases in Probate Court during my career, helping Seniors and disabled adults to be safe and cared for.
A judge must have extensive experience handling civil and criminal cases to understand and address the broad range of cases coming before a court. Having been in private practice and through representation of the County and Townships officials and agencies and private clients, it is this broad base of experience that will serve you well as your next Probate and Juvenile Judge.
My wife Sharon and I have been married for 36 years and are privileged to call Union County home. We have raised our family here, enjoying the community and many friends.
Respectfully, I ask for your vote on March 17, 2020 to become your next Probate and Juvenile Judge.”