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A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
6
November 15, 2012
After more than two decades of
service to the people of Inkster,
Sylvia James will not be returning to
the benchat the 22ndDistrict Court.
Voters opted to elect Sabrina
Johnson who was appointed to the
bench by Gov. Rick Snyder when
James was removed following amis-
conduct hearing by the Judicial
TenureCommission.
Voters made the right choice in
Johnson. She has the qualifications
and temperament, along with the
stamina of youth, to handle one of
the busiest courts in the state. She
has been doing a fine job at the
court since she arrived in
September and we are confident
she will continue to serve the com-
munitywell.
But we cannot let James' accom-
plishments go unheeded, despite
the unfortunate circumstances of
her removal fromthe bench.
She may have left the court in
less than a state of grace, and we
would not question the findings of
the commission and the judge who
heard the allegations about her con-
duct, but we cannot help but weigh
that against the two decades during
which she ran the court and her
dedication to the community.
The 22nd District Court in
Inkster is one of the busiest in the
state. There is no disputing that fact.
When James ran the court, she
moved the docket quickly and effi-
ciently, dispensing her rulings with
both compassion and a regard for
consistency and the rule of law.
Defendants and lawyers inher court
were fairly confident of her deci-
sions before she rendered them
from the bench because of her
adherence to a strict set of guide-
lines andprinciples.
We do not condone James' inap-
propriate conduct nor dowe dispute
the fact that she made enemies and
that there were many people who
felt she was less than fair to their
side of an issue. There were attor-
neys who did not take kindly to her
scoldings when she felt they did not
act in a manner she deemed appro-
priate or respectful to her court-
room.
She was criticized, too, for
demanding that defendants dress
properly for court rather than show-
ing up in baggy pants and floppy
shirts, more appropriate for
Halloween than a court appearance.
Perhaps her most serious error
was attempting to be honest with the
people of Inkster, telling them in a
public letter why she felt proposed
changes to their city charter and
form of government were not a good
idea and put too much power in the
hands of one individual.
That, and her contributions to
nearly every civic or community
OK, I admit it, I have been more
than a little discouraged lately
about the current state of newspa-
pers. Let's face it, there isn't an
expert who won't lecture for sever-
al minutes on the inevitable death
of the only industry I know any-
thing about.
Then, I made a couple of mis-
takes.
Now, I could bore you with the
reason I made the errors, but real-
ly, that's beside my point here, and
just wait for it, I dohave one.
When I made the first mistake, a
very assertive woman from
Northville called to let me know
the error of my ways. She informed
me in no uncertain terms that I had
no business criticizing Ann
Romney for wearing at $4,000
designer dress out on the campaign
trail when she and her husband
were attempting to convince voters
they understood the financial peril
most of the middle and all of the
lower income families in our coun-
try face.
YEOW.
She explained the cost of
Michelle Obama's wardrobe, telling
me that the taxpayers funded her
rather elaborate and expensive
outfits for public functions and
went on to pointedly tell me how
much Michelle's vacations to
Europe cost the American taxpay-
er.
I mean, this lady wasn't fooling
around.
Whether her information was
correct or not, I don't know,
because she stated it so authorita-
tively, that it only just nowoccurred
to me that I should have tried to
look it up. But she was even more
concerned with the fact that I
seemed to be
taking the elec-
tion lightly and
was attempting to add a little
humor to the constant barrage of
criticism both candidates and their
families were subjected to con-
stantly.
At the risk of her calling again,
Ann really did look great in that
dress, whichmy caller was quick to
point out, "she paid for herself, not
the taxpayers."
Then last week, an articulate,
and once again, rather intimidat-
ing, woman from Wayne-Westland
called to question my intelligence
and education because in my haste
I typed Theodore Roosevelt rather
At the end of every election cycle, there is elation and sad-
ness.
The winners, of course, celebrate their victories and look
forward to their new elected offices or the return to them.
Thosewho received fewer votes, not somuch.
After working as hard as some candidates do, being less
than the top choice of voters can be a pretty bitter pill to swal-
low.
We continue to be amazed at the caliber of people who will-
ingly subject themselves to the possibility of this kind of rejec-
tion.
When we look at the field of candidates for many local and
county offices, we are amazed at the qualifications and creden-
tials of those who have campaigned for public office. Let's face
it, many of these people would command a much higher wage
in the private sector. For many of them, the small stipend paid
for some of these elected officesmight cover their coffee tab.
Almost without exception, these candidates put themselves
at the voters' mercy because they have a sincere desire tomake
the community a better place, to help improve the schools or
think that their experience and qualifications could greatly
improve theway things are being done at amunicipal level.
Sure, there are some of them who have a personal agenda
and seek public office because their personalities make them
unemployable in the private sector or they are seeking valida-
tion and self aggrandizement from the prestige of having an
elected title.
Inmost communities, however, they are the exceptions.
Most citizens don't realize the amount of time and effort
most elected officials put into these jobs. They see themattend
public meetings, but have no idea of the hours many of them
spend studying issues before they arrive to discuss the issues
publicly. These guys can't go to the grocery store without being
accosted in the produce section about the late garbage pickup
in their neighborhood or the highwater bills in their communi-
ty.
It isn't an easy job for those who take the responsibility of
public service seriously. It entails many long hours that could
be spent enjoying family time, a personal hobby or any of a
myriad of other things far more interesting than listening to
arguments onboth sides of a zoning change question.
Anyone who agrees to campaign for and seek one of these
elected posts deserves a great deal of credit, no matter what
the vote totals may be. Campaigning, if taken seriously, takes
more time than could be imagined, walking neighborhoods,
going door to door to talk to voters, listening to residents who
may have complaints or suggestions. Campaigns are expen-
sive, too. Signs, mailings, flyers and even those political TV ads
cost a great deal of money. Some have fundraisers and receive
contributions, but the bulk of most local campaign money
comes right out of the candidate's personal funds.
It's time consuming, wearing, difficult, exhausting and
expensive. And yet nearly every election, the number of quali-
fied candidates for any particular office or board seat grows
and changes.
Each of themdeserves our respect and gratitude, especially
if the total votes didn't go their way. They deserve a thank you
for campaigning, for questioning their opponents, for offering
voters a choice.
By the very act of seeking office, they have made their com-
munity a better place. Because those who were successful
should realize that they are still there, still qualified and still
the choice ofmany voters.
These candidates make those elected much better at the
jobs theywere chosen to do.
We'd just like to thank themfor that.
Errors do
not erase
good work
Now, I could bore you with the reason
I made the errors, but really, that's beside my point here,
and just wait for it, I do have one.
”
It's time consuming, wearing, difficult, exhausting
and expensive. And yet nearly every election, the
number of qualified candidates for any particular
office or board seat grows and changes.
”
Looking for that silver lining anywhere I can
Every candidate deserves a vote of thanks
Grief ceremony announced
To the editor;
The winter and holidays are fast
approaching us. The holidays are
often seen as a joyous occasion and
a chance to come together with
friends and family. But it can be a
difficult time for anyone who is
missing their deceased loved one.
The prospect of facing the holidays
without your loved one may cause
anxiety and dread. Whether your
loved one died recently or decades
ago, the holidays bring forth power-
ful memories that may trigger your
grief. Wewould like tohelp you.
We at David C. Brown Funeral
Home are hosting a special remem-
brance memorial ceremony for the
community. The “Tree of
Remembrance” is a time to reflect
and give honor to our loved ones
during this holiday season. We
invite you all onMonday, Nov. 19, to
the Brown Family Center for this
heartwarming ceremony. There
will be a time beforehand inside
the center for fellowship and
refreshments starting at 6:30 p.m.
The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m.
just outside theCenter.
Because it is outside please
dress warmly. If you would like,
please bring a weatherproof orna-
ment in memory of your loved one.
During the ceremony there will be
a time in which you can decorate
the 'tree' with your ornament. So
gather the family and come out
Letters
See
Errors,
page 7
See
Judge,
page 7
See
Letters,
page 7