Sun article, 3 December 1995

The Sun

LETTERS
LETTERS

by The Baltimore Sun

December 3, 1995 Page(s): 4C
Edition: HOWARD SUN
Section: METRO
Length: 1533 words
Biographee: LETTER, COLUMN

Record Number: BSUN425314

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Losers wouldn't decry process had they won

As an attorney practicing in Howard County, and as a recent unsuccessful nominee to the Circuit Court for Howard County, I read James Coram's recent article on
a prospective judicial election (Nov. 23) with much interest.

In the past eight months, our county has undergone a difficult and often divisive process to fill the two judicial vacancies which have been filled by Diane O. Leasure
and Donna Hill Staton.

Two Judicial Nominating Commissions comprised of lawyers and non-lawyers from Howard County worked diligently to evaluate the qualifications of the numerous
applicants who sought appointment to the bench. The candidates themselves underwent a rigorous process of interviews and evaluations by as many as seven
different groups or organizations within our community. Those evaluations were then considered by the nominating commissions which reported to the governor that
Ms. Leasure and Ms. Hill Staton and eight other individuals were the most highly qualified to serve as Circuit Court judges.

This list of 10 individuals was submitted to the governor, along with their applications, and the reports and recommendations of the numerous organizations which
interviewed the applicants. In addition, many members of the community wrote to and spoke with the governor on behalf of those found to be most highly
unqualified. Ultimately, the governor personally interviewed each of the candidates and Ms. Leasure and Ms. Hill Staton were appointed to serve as Circuit Court
judges.

Even though most of the unsuccessful judicial applicants themselves sought political support for their appointment, it now seems that these very same individuals
complain that the process was too political. I wonder whether it would have been too political if those applicants who sought political support had been successful in
their efforts to be appointed.

Mr. Coram's article points out a certain dissatisfaction with the fact that neither Judge Leasure nor Judge Hill Staton based their legal practice in Howard County.
However, Mr. Glendening has given Howard the opportunity to benefit from our new judges' experiences in Baltimore and in Prince George's County. Their
experiences in other jurisdictions can help bring new ideas and fresh approaches to the judiciary and thereby benefit the entire community.

In conclusion, I was honored to have been included on the list which the Judicial Nominating Commissions found to be highly qualified to be a Circuit Court judge.
Now that the governor has filled these vacancies, it is time to allow our new judges the opportunity to fulfill their responsibilities to our community.

Neil Edward Axel

Columbia