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Article published Apr 23, 2008 GOP appointment of successor unwanted
Dear Editor:
A crack in the door:
The current judge of the criminal court for Blount County, Mike Meares, was appointed nine months ago by Governor Bredensen. A number of local lawyers applied for this position. Judge Duggan was not one of them. Having been appointed to fill a vacancy he now must run for election, not reelection for this same position.
1. Mike Meares is smart...graduating from Duke University in just three years; attending and graduating from Vanderbilt University Law School, and a practicing attorney in Blount County for over 20 years. He is a native of Blount County and hails from a family of lawyers that include his father, brother, sister as well as his wife.
2. Mike Meares is competent. In just nine months he has reduced the criminal court cases awaiting trial to zip. To the point that he is now offering to assist Civil Court Judge Young in reducing the back log in that area.
3. Mike Meares is independent. Although he lists himself as a Democrat he is fiscally very conservative. He has a concern for the very poor but is a constructionist regarding the constitution. He tries each case based on the rule of law, period. You break the law and he writes you a ticket to jail. End of story.
4. Mike Meares represents, to his fellow citizens, “A crack in the door.” By that I mean that he is the only official from the mayor to the chief of police to the predominately Republican County Commission who is not a part of “The clique.” He is our “crack in the door” to attaining legal fairness in Blount County. If Mike Meares is not elected to continue in the very powerful position of Criminal Court Judge, a Republican will fill his position.
The General Sessions Court Judge’s position will then be filled by members of the County Commission, not the governor. The predominantly Republican County Commission is more than likely to fill the position with a Republican. I have no bias against Judge Duggan. he is likely a very good person and fair judge. But.....think.....should every position from mayor to chief of police through all the judgeships and the majority of County Commission hail from one party? Any one party? Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Thank you, Carol Gallagher 3151 Hardy Blvd. Louisville, TN 37777