Barberton Municipal Court judge
John Casalinuovo
Personal information
Casalinuovo, 56, is married, has two children and lives in Green.
Education
B.A., The University of Akron (UA), education, 1976
J.D., UA School of Law, 1984
Experience
Currently, Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Court magistrate (about two years)
Formerly, self-employed private practice attorney
Activities
Member, Ohio Bar Association
Member, Akron Bar Association (ABA)
Member, ABA’s Lawyer’s Assistance Committee (1995-present); past chairman (six years)
Formerly, member, ABA’s Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee; Disciplinary Committee; Judicial Selection Committee
Formerly, board member, local chapter of the American Diabetes Association
What makes you the best candidate for the position?
“The reason I feel I am
the best candidate is that I have
been doing much of what a municipal court judge does.
As a magistrate, I have gained valuable experience on
the bench that is important for anyone that holds the
trusted office of judge. This experience, along with
nearly 24 years as a trial attorney, makes me the ideal
candidate for the position.
“Since I am the father of two young children, I have a deep concern over their well-being in our community. I believe that a judge could and should apply some of his free time to the use of his office in ways to better the community. Because of my background in education, I have a strong desire to reach out to our youth with a court/school program to spark their interest in civics and citizenship. I have sent letters to the school districts regarding this idea and have received positive feedback.
“Finally, I am well suited for the position because of my unbiased approach when hearing cases. Each case is heard on its own merit and the law should be applied accordingly.”
David Fish
Personal information
Fish, 48, is married, has two children and lives in Copley.
Education
B.A., Tulane University, 1981
J.D., The University of Akron (UA) School of Law, 1984
Experience
Currently, assistant law director/prosecutor with the Barberton Municipal Court (1991-present)
Currently, adjunct professor, UA
Activities
President, Summit County Domestic Violence Coalition (2005-present)
Member and lecturer, Ohio Municipal Attorney’s Association Certified instructor, Ohio Peace Officer’s Training Academy
Coach, recreation and travel youth soccer, basketball and softball
What makes you the best candidate for the position?
“As the Criminal Prosecutor for Copley, Green, Norton, Barberton, Coventry, New Franklin and Clinton, the Barberton Municipal Court has been my life and home for the past 16 years. I have developed a relationship with each and every local law enforcement officer and defense attorney who has appeared in this court over that time, as well as the countless victims and witnesses of the crimes I have prosecuted. For most people, the Municipal Court is likely to be the only court they come into contact with in their lifetimes. I never forget that. I have tried to bring a level of dignity, respect and understanding to each matter that has come before me because that is what each party deserves.
“As a public servant, I
have also felt an additional
need to give back to my community. Sharing the experience
that I have acquired over these past 16 years, I now
teach as an Adjunct Professor at The University of Akron
(Criminal Evidence and Legal Process) as well as the
University’s police academy. I also provide ‘in-service’
training to all local law enforcement on new developments
in criminal law.”
Todd McKenney
Personal information
McKenney, 44, is married, has
two children and lives in New Franklin.
Education
Graduate, Manchester High School,
1982
B.A., Hiram College, 1986
J.D., The Ohio State University
College of Law, 1989
Experience
Currently, pastor for mediations
and arbitrations, The Chapel
Formerly, mercy and justice pastor,
The Chapel (1993-2007)
Formerly, federal judicial law
clerk to Judge David Dowd, U.S. District Court for the
Northern District of Ohio (2005-07)
Activities
No information provided
What makes you the best candidate
for the position?
“(1) My experience involves
the most one-on-one training to be a judge because I
have worked for four years (including the last two years),
in the Federal Court directly with Judge David Dowd.
By working closely with the Judge on highly complex
Federal criminal and civil cases, I am fully prepared
to run my courtroom.
“(2) Consider these different
municipal court cases: charges of child endangering,
neighbor disputes, hearings to determine if someone
should keep their driver’s license and weddings.
Based on my work as a pastor, I think I get the
‘emotion’ of the court
the best. While no one should vote for me simply because
I am a pastor, my experiences of working as an attorney
for the Court while at the same time working with people
at the hardest points in their lives, uniquely qualify
me to be the next Judge.
“(3) My community leadership
is the strongest of all the candidates. My leadership
is especially strong in terms of working across racial
and ethnic lines. A strong
community leader will be needed to address each one
of the issues mentioned
by the candidates.”
Bill Sremack
Personal information
Sremack, 58, is married, has
two children and lives in Barberton.
Education
B.A., The University of Akron
(UA), 1972
J.D., UA School of Law, 1975
Experience
Currently, an attorney with William
M. Sremack Co., LPA (32
years)
Formerly, acting judge, Barberton
Municipal Court (appointed, 1985-88)
Formerly, referee, Barberton
Municipal Court (appointed, 1976-80)
Formerly, assistant prosecutor,
Barberton Municipal Court (appointed, 1975)
Formerly, assistant prosecutor,
Stark County Prosecutor’s Office (appointed, 1974-75)
Activities
Attorney/adviser, Manchester
High School Mock Trial Team (five years)
Formerly, senior vice commander,
Barberton VFW Post No. 1066
Formerly, junior vice commander,
Barberton VFW Post No. 1066
Veteran, U.S. Marine Corps (tour
of duty in Vietnam 1968-69)
What makes you the best candidate
for the position?
“I have extensive experience,
more so than any other candidate. My history includes
having served as an assistant prosecutor in the Stark
County Prosecutor’s Office and the Barberton Municipal
Court. I have also served as a referee and as an acting
judge in the Barberton
Municipal Court.
“I have been in private
practice since 1976, having represented hundreds of
individuals in the areas of criminal, civil, domestic
relations, juvenile and probate law. I have had numerous
jury trials (estimate 80) and countless trials to the
court. I have practiced at all levels of Ohio courts:
Municipal, Common Pleas, Court of Appeals and the Supreme
Court.
“I have competently and
efficiently managed my private practice, which at times
included two employed attorneys and a staff as high
as 13. I, therefore, can effectively administer a significant
caseload and staff.”
Diana Stevenson
Personal information
Stevenson, 38, is married, has
two children and lives in Barberton.
Education
B.A., The University of Akron
(UA), economics, 1989
J.D., UA School of Law, 1992
Experience
Currently, Summit County
Probate Court magistrate (2000-present)
Formerly, assistant prosecutor,
Summit County Prosecutor’s Office (1996-2000)
Formerly, judicial attorney,
Ohio Supreme Court (1995-96)
Formerly, judicial attorney,
Summit County Probate Court (1993-95)
Formerly, judicial attorney,
Stark County Court of Common Pleas (1992-93)
Activities
Member, Barberton Design Review
Board, city of Barberton
What makes you the best candidate
for the position?
“My experience in the courts
and as an attorney over the past 15 years makes me the
better candidate for Barberton Municipal Court Judge.
I first gained valuable experience as a judicial attorney
to judges in the Court of Common Pleas, and the Supreme
Court of Ohio.
“As an assistant prosecutor
I represented governmental agencies in all aspects of
litigation. As a practicing attorney in this arena I
gained experience before judges in order to understand
the concerns of lawyers and clients.
“I am currently a Magistrate
in Summit County Probate Court where I have many of
the same responsibilities as a judge. I hold hearings,
evaluate evidence and make decisions based on that evidence
on a daily basis. As a magistrate for five years I have
developed a good judicial temperament, and the ability
to be fair and impartial.
“One of the most difficult
talents for a judge to master is transitioning from
representing a client and one side of a position, to
listening and evaluating both sides of an issue in order
to fairly and impartially apply the law and impose justice.
My experience has given me the opportunity to develop
that talent in order to best serve the constituents
of the Municipal Court.”
Editor’s note: Diane
Guzzo, a candidate for Barberton
Municipal Court judge, did not submit information to
be included in the West Side Leader’s Voter Guide.
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