On April 7, Green County voters will determine who their next circuit court judge will be.
It's a position of immeasurable importance. Circuit courts have original jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters in their respective counties: They handle everything from fairly routine traffic matters to probate, family and juvenile proceedings, to serious and violent criminal cases. Judges are responsible for overseeing court proceedings at each step of the process, up to issuing verdicts and imposing sentences.
In Green County, Judge Jim Beer is being challenged by New Glarus attorney Dan Gartzke for the Branch 1 seat. Beer has held the seat for 19 years; Gartzke ran unsuccessfully for the Branch 2 seat when that seat was created six years ago.
Beer has an impressive array of experience, including time in private practice and as corporation counsel, court commissioner and family court commissioner. Beer is also quick to point out he's a native son - Monroe born and bred. There is no doubt that Beer is well-known and popular throughout Green County. But we also believe this can be a double-edged sword for a position where impartiality is paramount: We are more concerned with a candidate's understanding and ability to carry out the law than how well they "fit" into the county.
Gartzke seems to have a judicial demeanor and legal chops to make an effective judge, and we believe what he lacks in experience on the bench could be overcome in short order. While he has been painted as something of an outsider to the Green County legal establishment, he has a long history working in the county, with one-third of his caseload in Green County (with another third in Dane County and the remainder in other parts of the state.)
In this case, we think the fact that Gartzke is not fully entrenched in the Green County network is actually a very strong reason to vote for him.
That said, we are hard-pressed to endorse Gartzke over Beer. While we hear rumblings that Beer's court could be operated more efficiently, there's a lack of hard evidence to support that. We believe Beer's knowledge and experience on the bench warrants another term.
On a related note, Tom Vale is running unopposed for his second term as Green County Circuit Court judge in Branch 2.
Although he has no official opponent, it's worth noting that in his first six years on the bench, Vale has distinguished himself in the position, earning high marks from the legal community and general citizenry alike.
He has served our county admirably, and we are pleased he will continue on the bench for another six years.
It's a position of immeasurable importance. Circuit courts have original jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters in their respective counties: They handle everything from fairly routine traffic matters to probate, family and juvenile proceedings, to serious and violent criminal cases. Judges are responsible for overseeing court proceedings at each step of the process, up to issuing verdicts and imposing sentences.
In Green County, Judge Jim Beer is being challenged by New Glarus attorney Dan Gartzke for the Branch 1 seat. Beer has held the seat for 19 years; Gartzke ran unsuccessfully for the Branch 2 seat when that seat was created six years ago.
Beer has an impressive array of experience, including time in private practice and as corporation counsel, court commissioner and family court commissioner. Beer is also quick to point out he's a native son - Monroe born and bred. There is no doubt that Beer is well-known and popular throughout Green County. But we also believe this can be a double-edged sword for a position where impartiality is paramount: We are more concerned with a candidate's understanding and ability to carry out the law than how well they "fit" into the county.
Gartzke seems to have a judicial demeanor and legal chops to make an effective judge, and we believe what he lacks in experience on the bench could be overcome in short order. While he has been painted as something of an outsider to the Green County legal establishment, he has a long history working in the county, with one-third of his caseload in Green County (with another third in Dane County and the remainder in other parts of the state.)
In this case, we think the fact that Gartzke is not fully entrenched in the Green County network is actually a very strong reason to vote for him.
That said, we are hard-pressed to endorse Gartzke over Beer. While we hear rumblings that Beer's court could be operated more efficiently, there's a lack of hard evidence to support that. We believe Beer's knowledge and experience on the bench warrants another term.
On a related note, Tom Vale is running unopposed for his second term as Green County Circuit Court judge in Branch 2.
Although he has no official opponent, it's worth noting that in his first six years on the bench, Vale has distinguished himself in the position, earning high marks from the legal community and general citizenry alike.
He has served our county admirably, and we are pleased he will continue on the bench for another six years.
