Voters Guide: Madison County Judge of Court of Common Pleas

(Domestic Relations-Juvenile-Probate)

• Glenn S. Hamilton (Republican)

Glenn Hamilton

Occupation: Probate-Juvenile judge (23 years), Madison County

Previous service as public official: Seven years as assistant county prosecutor (Madison County 1977-1985). Twenty-three years as probate-juvenile judge (Madison County 1985-2008).

Education and Military Experience: Four years United States Air Force. One year Viet Nam. B.A., business administration, Ohio Northern University. M.A., public administration, Ball State University. J.D., law, The University of Dayton. Over 500 hours in advanced probate and juvenile law and related issues.

Community Activities: Member, First United Methodist Church of London (30-plus years). Associate member, Township Trustees Association. Past President of the London Kiwanis Club. American Legion Post 105. Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 950. Ohio Association of Juvenile Court Judges (Committee on Juvenile Law and Procedure). Ohio Association of Probate Court Judges. Ohio Judicial Conference.

Major issues in this election:

1. Will the county continue to have one of the lowest juvenile delinquency rates in the state? Madison County ranks 10th out of 88 counties. Juvenile Court and the staff and programs it supports has a large part to play in protection of the community and the low juvenile delinquency rate. Judge Hamilton plans to continue such programs.

2. Will the Juvenile Court continue to be proactive in prevention of juvenile delinquency by supporting community programs, such as D.A.R.E., by building strong families through programs such as home mentoring, and by supporting programs that assist the schools, such as the weekend detention program and the pre-complaint truancy program? They will be continued under Judge Hamilton.

3. Will the Probate Court continue its efficient service of the public and continue its program to preserve valuable county records? It will under Judge Hamilton.

• R. David Picken (Republican)

R. David Picken

Occupation: Municipal Court judge, Madison County

Previous service as public official: Madison County Municipal Court judge, Jan. 1, 1994-present. Madison County prosecutor, Nov. 1, 1975-Dec. 31, 1992.

Education/military experience: Case Western Reserve Law School, 1971-1974. Allegheny College, B.A. history, 1963-1967. U.S. Army, 1968-1970: 1st lieutenant combat infantry – Vietnam; 199th Light Infantry Brigade; Purple Heart, wounds received in combat; Bronze Star with "V" Device, heroism in combat.

Community activities/honors: President, Friends of West Jefferson Library, 1979-1994; West Jeff-erson Businessmen’s Association, 1975-1989; West Jefferson Community Association, 2008; West Jefferson Kiwanis, 1975-1981, president 1978; London Lions Club, 1993-present; Madison County Farm Bureau, 1993-present; Madison Lodge 221, 1977-present; Scottish Rite, 1978-present; Aladdin Shrine, 1978-present; West Jefferson VFW life member; London American Legion life member; Disabled American Veterans life member; Order of the Purple Heart life member; Vietnam Veterans of America life member; Madison County Cancer Crusade chairman two years.

Major issues facing the election: 1. Protecting our seniors, families and com-munity; 2. Reaching the at-risk children; 3. truancy.

Plan to address issues:

1. Teach those who come before the Court that they are accountable for their actions. This is accomplished by fair but firm, consistent treatment of the parties.

The Court must say what it means and mean what it says. Thereafter, the Court must have an active in-house probation staff to put teeth in the Court’s orders and enforcement against youth offenders.

2. The Court must communicate with and involve our schools and teachers in the process early to help prevent young offenders from becoming violent juveniles.