Experience in the law enforcement field makes Jim Fink ideal candidate for Circuit Court judge
I am writing to encourage your readers to vote for Jim Fink for Washtenaw County Circuit Court judge on Nov. 6. Jim will be an asset to the Circuit Court bench and great public servant for the citizens of Washtenaw County.
Throughout his life and career, Jim has dedicated himself to the service of others. He is a former Washtenaw County sheriff’s commander with 22 years law enforcement experience. He sits on the Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board and formerly served as chair. He is a member and past chair of the Dawn Farm Board of Trustees and received Dawn Farm’s 2012 Founders Award. Jim also is part of the Hope Clinic “One Hope” Capital Campaign Committee, and is active in his church and the community. Jim understands that Judges serve the community by treating all the people who appear before them with respect, honesty, integrity, compassion, empathy, and above all else, impartiality. Jim Fink has conducted his personal and professional life according to these principles and is clearly the best candidate for Circuit Judge.
Lillie A. Covington, MSW
Fomer Probation Officer
Ypsilanti
Comments
hermhawk
Wed, Oct 24, 2012 : 1:52 p.m.
I will NOT vote for this conservative for judge. It Fink is elected that will set a bad scene for this county.
oldgaffer
Wed, Oct 24, 2012 : 4:35 a.m.
If you were charged with a crime would you want a former police officer-- especially one who has spent 22 years arresting people and then spent another 14 years as a landlord's lawyer evicting people-- to be the judge hearing your case? I don't think so.
Westfringe
Wed, Oct 24, 2012 : 12:57 a.m.
Fink will be a breath of fresh air after Morris.
Cathy
Wed, Oct 24, 2012 : 12:56 a.m.
The Innocence Project has proven time and again that people get railroaded. That's why I would never vote for a former cop or prosecutor for judge.
Ann23
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 5:22 p.m.
Some people seem to be assuming that just because Jim Fink was a police officer he has never defended those accused of breaking the law and would never take the side of somebody who has been accused of breaking the law. That is an incorrect assumption. http://www.finkvalvolaw.com/practice-areas.html I know there is nobody out there who can honestly say it is a fact that Jim Fink has not defended people who have been accused of committing a crime. My knowledge of this is not only or primarily based on the website I listed above. There seems to be a lot of accusations being slung around that are based only on assumption.
Cathy
Wed, Oct 24, 2012 : 1:01 a.m.
I don't want a judge to "side" with anyone. I want a judge who will be a neutral arbiter. Ideally, anyone with knowledge of the law should be adequate, but I have a hard time believing that judges never bring their loyalties with them to the bench. If people didn't believe that, there would not be so many ex-prosecutors on the bench.
David Cahill
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 3:34 p.m.
Electing a former police officer as a judge is a Really Bad Idea. Police naturally feel everyone they arrest is guilty. As judge, Fink would not be able to overcome this mind-set. I'm voting for Carol Kuhnke, whose career has been in the courts, not in police cars.
genetracy
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 4:52 p.m.
So if a cop is unfir to be a judge, does that mean only former criminal defense attornies are qualified to sit on the bench?
Ann23
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 3:51 p.m.
Those irrational police officers and former police officers, they just love to throw people in jail, the more the better, and care nothing about the actual person and their family. Please realize I am being sarcastic.
justcurious
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 3:47 p.m.
You have a very sad view of the people who are out there risking their lives for us every day. Where on earth do you get your information that allows you to paint law enforcement officers with such a broad brush? Did you call them "pigs" in the 70's?
bobslowson
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 3:07 p.m.
I wouldn't vote for this guy who is anti women, anti gay, anti abortion...will be in ock step with the teapublicans...
Ron Granger
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 2:43 p.m.
Where does he stand on the cases involving access to reproductive care that will come before him, if elected?
TommyJ
Thu, Oct 25, 2012 : 2:25 a.m.
That opinion piece sealed the deal for me. Knowing he's a pro-life candidate was a very important factor in my decision. Fink gets my vote over the pro-baby killer candidate.
Ron Granger
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 11:57 p.m.
Do you even know what judges do? http://www.annarbor.com/news/opinion/before-making-choice-for-circuit-court-judge-voters-must-consider-abortion-stance/ On Nov. 6, Washtenaw County voters will fill the first vacant circuit court judge position in nearly two decades. With your vote, you may help to decide the futures of dozens, if not hundreds, of young women dealing with unwanted pregnancies, even those resulting from rape or incest. How can this be? Aren't these matters determined by the Michigan Legislature and federal and state appellate courts? In fact, whether a minor obtains an abortion may be determined by the decision of a single judge, acting under a state law that gives virtually total discretion to the judge. There is a stark difference on this issue between the two candidates for the open judge position, attorneys Carol Kuhnke and James Fink. Fink, who identifies himself as a Republican and has contributed money to many GOP candidates, is endorsed by Right to Life of Michigan. To obtain that endorsement, a candidate must oppose abortion in all cases, except to protect the life of the mother. The candidate must also support a Human Life Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, establishing legal "personhood" from the moment of conception.
cinnabar7071
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 4:48 p.m.
Can you even come up with one such case?
Alan Goldsmith
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 2:11 p.m.
And a major financial contributor to Republican Congressman Tim Walberg-one of the most anti-labor, anti-women and anti-choice politicians in Washington. Surely he should get his kudos for this as well?
Ann23
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 8:25 p.m.
Supporting a candidate isn't equal to agreeing with everything on their platform and everything they may do in the future.
Alan Goldsmith
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 8 p.m.
He needs to explain why he supports Tim Walberg then.
Ann23
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 3:07 p.m.
"He sits on the Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board and formerly served as chair." He doesn't seem very anti-women to me.
Laura Jones
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 1:42 p.m.
Impressive - he can count on my vote too! I was leaning that way after the previous opinion piece, but this provides solid reasons for making him my vote.
justcurious
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.
He's got my vote. The recent Opinion piece here sealed the deal for me.
harry
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 2:15 p.m.
I am just glad there was no mention of democrat or republican. Getting kind of tired of it.