Ohio Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton has announced her intention to retire from the court by the end of the year.

Stratton is the second longest serving justice on the court, after appointment by former Gov. George Voinovich in 1996.

Ohio voters elected her to three six-year terms, most recently in 2008. Her term is set to expire Jan. 1, 2015.

She began her career as a trial lawyer in central Ohio, and in 1989 was elected as the first female judge on Franklin County Common Pleas Court, where she became known as “The Velvet Hammer” for her approach to sentencing in serious felony cases.

I’ve had the opportunity to sit down with Stratton on several occasions when she has visited the area.

Our conversations for the most part weren’t about specific court cases or legal matters, but rather about life and her interest and work in the mental health field.

It is that area Stratton referred to in her resignation letter and she discussed her involvement to provide mental health services to offenders and assisting veterans in the criminal justice system.

She referred to this involvement as occupying a place of growing importance ultimately culminating with her decision to leave the bench.

“I have decided to dedicate myself to them even moreso, not only here in Ohio but on the national level,” Stratton said.

To have an Ohio Supreme Court justice serve as an visible advocate for mental health issues has been invaluable to consumers and to people who work in the mental health field.

“Any time we have somebody with her level of expertise, her level of authority who brings recognition to mental health and the effectiveness of treatment, it’s such a bonus and a strength for us,” said Kim Fraser, executive director of the Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services board. “She’s been a very strong voice for us. Our consumers are sometimes disenfranchised and pushed to the side. She’s always been willing to tackle the tough subject and bring awareness.”

I’ve seen how passionate Stratton has been when she talks about mental health issues. She says her heart tells her this is the right decision and I’m betting that it is.

Election day workers needed

The Lake County Elections Board needs people to work Nov. 6 as election day poll workers. Shifts start at 6 a.m. and conclude typically around 8:15 p.m. Pay for a poll worker in the county is $107.91 for Election Day, and presiding judges receive $127.91. Workers also receive $20 for a training session, which lasts about two hours. For details, contact the Elections Board in Painesville.

Fundies

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, 17th annual golf outing with special guest Judy Moran, 1 p.m. shotgun start Friday at Powderhorn Country Club in Madison Township. See Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour or Ernie Koenig.

n Werner Barthol, candidate for Lake County prosecutor, hosts a Summer Celebration Fundraiser, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Lake Metroparks Painesville Township Park. See James Falvey or Kelly Barthol.

n Fundraiser for Geauga County Common Pleas Court Judge Forrest Burt, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Bond Building, Century Village Museum in Burton. See Carol Stafford.

n Old Fashioned Country Picnic for Geauga County Commissioner Mary Samide, 4:30 to 7 p.m. June 8 at S.O.S. Inc., in Munson Township. See Jackie Moskal.

n Lake County Sheriff Daniel A. Dunlap, 21st annual golf outing and steak dinner June 8 at Painesville Country Club. See Frank Leonbruno or Sheryl DePledge.

n Jason Wuliger, candidate for Lake County recorder, hosts pasta dinner with special guest U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 12 at Cebars Madison Tavern in Madison Township. See Dick Shreve or Pete Wayman.

n Bob Patterson, candidate for Lake County treasurer, fundraiser with special guest state Sen. John Eklund, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 28 at Historic Perkins Estate in Mentor. See Sandy Patterson.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Republican George Voinovich cast his final votes as a U.S. senator this week. See how he and U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending Dec. 23, 2010:


Ohio in Congress, 20101223


-- Cheryl Sadler
CSadler@News-Herald.com

U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio

Retiring U.S. Sen. George Voinovch, R-Ohio, voted in favor of repealing "don't ask, don't tell," differing from Republicans and joining Democrats to repeal the ban, which President Barack Obama is expected to sign into law next week.

From The Associated Press:

"The repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell' will be implemented in a common sense way," said Sen. George Voinovich R-Ohio."Our military leaders have assured Congress that our troops will engage in training and address relevant issues before instituting this policy change."

Read more details on the legislation (and the bill in full) here. See how all U.S. senators voted here.


-- Cheryl Sadler
CSadler@News-Herald.com

Keep track of how your elected officials are voting in Congress with Thomas Voting Reports.

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending Dec. 17, 2010:


Ohio in Congress, 20101217

Ohio in Congress, 20101217 part 2

-- Cheryl Sadler
CSadler@News-Herald.com

Keep track of how your elected officials are voting in Congress with Thomas Voting Reports.

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending Dec. 10, 2010 (part 2):

Ohio in Congress, 201012102 part 2


-- Cheryl Sadler
CSadler@News-Herald.com

Keep track of how your elected officials are voting in Congress with Thomas Voting Reports.

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending Dec. 10, 2010:
Ohio in Congress 20101210

--Danielle Capriato
DCapriato@News-Herald.com

Keep track of how your elected officials are voting in Congress with Thomas Voting Reports.

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending Dec. 3, 2010:

Ohio in Congress, 20101203

Ohio in Congress, 20101203 part 2


-- Cheryl Sadler
CSadler@News-Herald.com

U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich, R-Ohio, said he opposes the nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to be an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court.

Here are excerpts from a speech he delivered on the subject:

“As I said last August during the debate on Justice Sotomayor, the role of the Senate in the nomination of a Supreme Court justice is to give its advice and consent on the president’s nomination with the Senate to judge whether an individual is qualified based on a number of factors,” Voinovich said. “Among these factors are the nominee’s education, legal experience, prior judicial experience, written record, judicial temperament, commitment to the rule of law and overall contributions to the law. Based on my review of Elena Kagan’s record using these factors, I have determined that Gen. Kagan, at this time, does not meet the criteria for membership on our nation’s highest court.”

“Senate confirmations should not be a simple mechanical affirmation of the president’s selection, especially when the nominee will enjoy a lifetime appointment,” Voinovich continued. “A senator is duty bound to conscientiously review the qualifications of the president’s nominee and make an independent assessment of the nominee’s qualifications.”

“I believe a judicial nominee must have substantial experience in the law especially when that nominee is seeking a lifetime appointment to the highest court in our land. After reviewing her background, I believe Gen. Kagan does not have that relevant experience. For example, when the Senate considered Justice Sotomayor’s nomination, there were more than a thousand prior opinions one could review to decide if she was ready for the job; with Gen. Kagan, there are none. When I asked her to name opinions that she worked on with Justice Marshall with which she disagreed, she stated that she could not remember any individual opinion she worked on, much less whether she disagreed with Justice Marshall on any of them,” said Voinovich.

“Lack of judicial experience should not be an absolute bar on serving as a Supreme Court justice. However, Solicitor General Kagan not only lacks judicial experience, but has limited experience as a practicing attorney with really only the last year as solicitor general and two years as a junior associate making up her entire practice. Additionally, Gen. Kagan has an extremely limited written record, which should make all of us unsure as to what sort of justice she might be.”

During his tenure in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Voinovich has voted in favor of three prior Supreme Court nominations: Chief Justice John Roberts, and Justices Samuel Alito and Sonya Sotomayor.

To watch his statement in its entirety, visit www.youtube.com/senvoinovich.

-- John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, was selected by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to serve on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.

Brown will be seventh Ohioan in history to serve on the committee in its 140-plus year history.

He will join Sen. George V. Voinovich, R-Ohio, who has announced he will retire after this year.

A vacancy on the committee was created after long-time Appropriations Committee Chairman Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.V., died last month.

More on this story to come in Saturday's print edition.

-- John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com