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Dear Editor:

I write to you today in my capacity as a Judge in Blount County, Tennessee and pursuant to my ethical and moral duty to disclose to the public my knowledge that false information has been presented to the public about a judicial candidate.

This letter is not intended, in any way, to constitute or be construed as a public or private endorsement of either Judge Meares or Judge Duggan. Likewise, this letter is not intended, in any way, to constitute or be construed as public or private opposition to either Judge Meares or Judge Duggan.

A few days ago, Ms. Carol Gallagher wrote to you and stated to the Blount County public, in part:

"...In just nine months (Mike Meares) has reduced the Criminal court cases awaiting trial to zip..."

This statement to bolster her political candidate is totally false.

As of today, the public records show Judge Meares has 781 cases pending, all awaiting trial in his criminal Division of Circuit Court. According to Judge Meares' representation to our Blount County Bar Association, it takes him about eight months before a case can be set for trial before him.

To my Blount County way of thinking, it is obvious that 781 cases amount to a good deal more than "zip." But don't take my word for it, the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts keeps detailed and accurate records, all available to the public.

In the same letter, Ms. Gallagher wrote to you and stated to the Blount County public, in part:

"...(Mike Meares) is (t)o the point that he is now offering to assist Civil Circuit Judge Young in reducing the back log in that area..."

This statement to bolster her political candidate is totally false.

This writer has agreed time after time after time for Judge Meares to hear all the civil cases he would like to hear. My impression was that he wanted civil jury trial experience to enhance is judicial qualifications. He even made a list of the civil jury cases he wanted to hear. That was in 2007.

To my knowledge, he has not heard one single case nor has he docketed any of those cases for trial. It is totally false that Judge Meares is now offering to assist in the civil area. His former "offer of assistance" was all talk and absolutely no action.

Ms. Gallagher writes that there is a back log of cases in the civil area.

This statement is totally and completely false.

There is no back log in the civil area; there is the usual docket, ever increasing as our population grows. Historically, the Civil Division of Circuit Court has annually disposed of more cases than those filed during the identical period.

Several days ago, Judge Meares wife -- also an attorney -- profusely complimented our Civil Division staff for operating the most efficient Circuit Court in East Tennessee. Her much appreciated compliments included her emphasis on the ability of litigants being able to have their cases readily set for trial in our division of Circuit Court without a long waiting period.

I don't believe this lady would have issued those compliments had she believed there was a back log of cases.

Oddly enough, the public records actually show that before Judge Meares took office there were never more cases filed than disposed of in the Criminal Division of Circuit Court for Blount County, Tennessee. Since he took office in July, 2007, a back log of criminal cases has occurred and it exists today.

In Judge Meare's Criminal Division, as of today, there have been 1,020 criminal cases filed, but he has disposed of only 830 of those cases. Accordingly, there is a genuine "back log" of cases waiting to be tried before Judge Meares.

I have no quarrel with Ms. Gallagher. I am not acquainted with her and I have no reason to believe she would intentionally misrepresent the truth in her letter to you or otherwise.

It is apparent, however, she has simply parroted facts and circumstances told to her by a party unknown to me, resulting in totally false and terribly misleading statements about her candidate.

Thank you, Mr. Editor, for allowing me to disclose to the public my knowledge that false information has been presented to the public about a judicial candidate.

With my kind wishes,

I am Sincerely,

W. Dale Young, Judge

Blount County Justice Center

946 East Lamar Alexander Pkwy.

Maryville, TN 37804