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Julia Owdziej and Tracy Van den Bergh arecompeting in the Nov. 4 election for a six-year term as Washtenaw County's probate judge.
Owdziej already was appointed to the position in June by Gov. Rick Snyder, replacing retiring judge Nancy Wheeler.
Owdziej, 51, is now defending her seat against Van den Bergh, 43, a social worker and attorney with the nonprofit Legal Services of South Central Michigan.
In questionnaire responses submitted throughMLive's Vote Guide, the two candidates discussed why they're running for office, what they consider their top priorities, and what they consider the most pressing issue for the office.
Here's a snapshot of what they had to say:
Why are you running for office?
Owdziej: I have been serving the citizens of Washtenaw County for over 23 years and would like to continue to do so. As an Asst. Prosecuting Attorney I was an advocate for victims of crime, I tried cases from Assault and Battery up to murder. I tried 50 felony jury trials. As a Juvenile Court Referee, I was the hearing officer (similar to a judge) for both delinquency and child welfare cases, including Juvenile Drug Court for 7 years.
I have already been making difficult decisions regarding children and their families for over 14 years. I was the Deputy Probate Register for 3 1/2 years, deciding all estate cases filed by application, I instructed all newly appointed guardians/conservators and conducted minor guardianship hrgs. I was recently appointed Probate Judge and am doing both the probate docket as well as a domestic docket. Probate Court deals with the most vulnerable citizens (the mentally ill, those in need of a guardian/conservator) they deserve a Judge with the most experience.
Van den Bergh: The Washtenaw County Probate Court handles adoptions, guardianships, involuntary hospitalizations, wills, custody and divorce cases. The common thread in these cases is that they require a judge who can compassionately manage families and individuals in crisis, many of whom are unrepresented, while still remaining objective and impartial.
My unique background in social work and law has trained me to manage and understand the complex social, familial and interpersonal issues involved in these cases in order to reach the most just and accurate legal decision possible. Further, as a Judge I will implement safeguards in order to ensure that all information relevant to the case is before the court so that litigants, whether represented by counsel, or in pro per, are treated fairly and equally to prevent erroneous outcomes.
What are your top three priorities?
Owdziej: -I will ensure that the vulnerable citizens and their families that use the Probate Court are treated with respect during the difficult times that brings them to the court. The Court should be as friendly user as possible so that a stressful situation is not made worse.
-The parties on the domestic docket have been without a regular judge for over 7 months, I have already started to tackle that docket and will continue to work hard to ensure that matters are decided in a fair and expeditious manner.
-I am keenly aware that I am a public servant and that I am paid with the tax dollars of hard working citizens. I will not forget that and will work hard for the citizens I serve.
Van den Bergh: The integrity of our judicial system requires that all citizens have equal access to justice regardless of race, sex, disability, zip-code, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Social and economic justice, however, will never be achieved until all individuals can meaningfully access the justice system. A core mission of my campaign is to further the goal of equal access to justice by coordinating and mobilizing resources to help those who cannot afford an attorney.
In addition, I will advocate and work to implement programs at the court that focus on addressing an individual's underlying social, medical and psychological problems in order to reduce recidivism, stabilize families and improve lives.
I will remain independent, but not isolated, from the community and will work to stay accessible and engaged with the residents of Washtenaw county in an effort to make sure that the Court is meeting and addressing their needs and concerns.
What is the most pressing issue for this office?
Owdziej: As this Judge position covers two different dockets there are 2 pressing issues, the first is the Probate docket that deals with the mentally ill and those that are in the need of a guardian or a conservator.
It is important to ensure that those vulnerable citizens and their families get through the court system with the least amount of additional stress as possible. I have already worked as a deputy probate register and have the experience to assist those citizens.
The pressing issue for the domestic docket is getting those parties a consistent and competent Judge. I have already started working hard on that docket. I have already, first as a Juvenile Court Referee and now as a Judge, been making difficult decisions about what is in the best interest of children.
The children who are going through a divorce or custody case, deserve a Judge with the most relevant experience. I am that Judge.
Van den Bergh: Due to Michigan's dire fiscal situation, Judges are faced with the task of delivering justice in an environment of diminishing resources and rising needs. Steps can be taken, however, to ensure that essential services are preserved while programs with a proven track record for costs savings such as "problem-solving courts", are implemented. The "problem-solving" approach looks to intervene, in suitable cases, at the earliest point at which issues such as mental illness and substance abuse manifest themselves in an effort to stabilize the individual and/or family.
This approach results in both direct and indirect public cost savings. Moreover, it improves the quality of life for members of our community and their families. Implementation of such approaches, however, require Judges who not only have legal expertise, but training in a mental health, substance abuse and other social issues. As a social worker and lawyer I am uniquely qualified to implement this type of approach.
http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2014/10/owdziej_vs_van_den_bergh_proba.html
