Wednesday, June 19, 2013

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10/4/2012 - West Side Leader
     

By Staff Writer

Yvette McGee Brown (incumbent) vs. Sharon Kennedy

Sharon Kennedy

Voters will vote for one candidate for Ohio Supreme Court justice for the unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2014, on the Nov. 6 General Election ballot. While the races for judge are nonpartisan, each party nominates a candidate, and we have opted to list party affiliation with those candidates. Democratic candidate and incumbent Yvette McGee Brown did not respond to our request for information by the stated deadline. The information provided below was submitted by Republican candidate Sharon Kennedy, with her response to our question printed as submitted.

Sharon Kennedy

Political affiliation: Republican

What are the three most important issues facing the court and how would you address them?

“The three most important issues facing the court are access to the courts and maintaining the independence of the judiciary during times of financial crisis, improving public confidence in the judicial system, and judicial adherence to Constitutional limitations of power.

“In times of financial hardship all branches of government, including the judiciary, should find meaningful ways to reduce the cost of government without limiting access to the courts or eroding the independence of the judiciary. I would support and work with courts within municipal and county systems to establish budget workgroups to discuss the current financial challenges, assist in the analysis of suggestions, and work to immediately implement budget reduction measures while ensuring access to courts and an independent judiciary.

“Often, there are myths and misconceptions about the judicial system. These myths and misconceptions cause a lack of confidence in the judicial system. I would improve and increase civic education and promote decision-making transparency to dispel myths and correct misconceptions about the judicial system.

“Under our form of limited government there are three separate, but equal branches of government. Judges must recognize the Constitutional scope and limitation of their authority and apply the law, as written, to the facts and evidence without regard to personal views or opinions. As a Justice I would continue my current work as an educator and mentor of new judges with an emphasis on the limitation of our authority and the need to uphold the law to promote a stable and predictable legal system.”