League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
	Hamilton County, OH November 4, 2008 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Judge; Court of Common Pleas; 6 Year Term Starting 1/01/09

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Pressing Issues, Implementation, Merit Selection, Evaluation, Mandatory sentencing Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What are the two most pressing issues you will face if you are elected? (50 word limit) Answer from Melba D. Marsh: Maintaining courtroom efficiency with the ever increasing volume of criminal and civil cases. Exploring all options and alternatives available (i.e. treatment, programs) in dealing with the constant jail population issues. 2. How will you address each of those issues? (100 word limit) Answer from Melba D. Marsh: To address these issues, the key is to read all materials that come in front of the court; stay abreast of any legal development; be patient and listen to all parties; render judgments based solely on the evidence and understand that the court is about people and justice. 3. What is your position on merit selection of the judiciary? (100 word limit) Answer from Melba D. Marsh: I oppose merit selection for judges in favor of elections instead. Elections give ALL citizens, who the judges serve, a voice. 4. What would be a fair way to evaluate the performance of a sitting judge? (100 word limit) Answer from Melba D. Marsh: I favor the present process which employs polling all members of the Cincinnati Bar Association. 5. What is your opinion about mandatory sentencing? (100 word limit) Answer from Melba D. Marsh: I am opposed to mandatory sentencing. There is no `one shoe fits all' theory to be given to each individual case. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. The answer must not exceed 100 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.