Candidate has questions to ask judge

To The Eagle:

Another important part of the election process passed with Grays River Grange #124 hosting the Candidates Forum for Wahkiakum County candidates. Well attended and thanks goes to Krist Novoselic and Robert Pyle.

As possibly expected, our sitting District Court Judge did not appear to talk with constituents. It must be assumed that some candidates, especially running unopposed judges feel that once elected they are entitled to the job. Running unopposed for 20-plus years probably makes a candidate forget they owe honorable service and information to their electorate. I had invited the sitting Wahkiakum District Court judge to the Grays River forum and had some specific questions for him; possibly he could respond in The Eagle. My questions were:

1. How would a judge define greed among lawyers representing or misrepresenting clients in court?

2. Is it appropriate for judges to allow acts of perjury to go unnoticed and addressed in court sessions held in Wahkiakum County?

3. Is it acceptable for lawyers to lie to police officers investigating crime and disturbance?

4. Is it acceptable for lawyers to violate court orders?

5. Is it acceptable to have the Wahkiakum Prosecuting Attorney dismiss criminal actions to protect a lawyer?

6. And finally, if a lawyer is unethical and or commits unlawful acts, when does a sitting judge lose the title “honorable?”

Everyone is encouraged to vote before or on November 2.

The only way to review/reward a candidates ability/performance is to vote him or her in or out of office; be informed and be smart.

Dennis T. Gordon

Cathlamet