Justice of peace candidates tout their fixes for office

3 running for Place 1 JP

By Carl Kieke

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Candidates for Taylor County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 1 voiced their ideas for improvements in the office while speaking Wednesday at the Abilene Country Club.

Lydia Long and John Cummins spoke during a noon meeting of the Abilene Association of Independent Business Owners. A third candidate, Mike McAuliffe, was unable to attend, but Nick Coates of his campaign staff spoke on his behalf.

Long stressed the need for improving the efficiency of the office by upgrading technology. Forms aren't available online, and fines or other fees cannot be paid via the Internet. Long would like to see both made available to the public, saying it would reduce time-consuming tasks and make office staff more efficient.

She estimated that more automated equipment would allow office workers to process three times as many operations, thus increasing efficiency.

She also would like to see night court sessions at least once a month.

Cummins and Coates, representing McAuliffe, said the candidates' experience with law enforcement has prepared them to serve as Justice of the Peace. Cummins cited long service with the Taylor County Sheriff's Office, while McAuliffe has been with the Abilene Police Department for 30 years, much of that time spent as a resource officer at Abilene High School.

"He knows the criminal and civil sides backwards and forwards," Coates said of McAuliffe. "Mike is a specialist in truancy, and his expertise in that area is very much needed."

Members of the audience posed questions concerning how court processes could be streamlined, so plaintiffs don't have to research the financial backgrounds of those who owe them money. Cummins stated that law enforcement doesn't get involved in such cases until receiving orders from the court — and that they could then do such investigations.

Cummins and Long addressed questions regarding eviction laws, how the office is funded and where funds for the proposed technology upgrades could come from. A plaintiff can submit specific questions regarding finances that the defendant must address, he said.

Bryan Smith, current Place 1 JP, has chosen not to run for re-election. The candidate selected will serve a four-year term, with an annual salary of $34,000.

  © 2012 Scripps Newspaper Group — Online

Letter: Long is the right choice

Staff Reports

Friday, February 17, 2012

Amanda McDermott, Kansas City, Mo.

The justice of the peace court is considered a people's court, one in which everyone should feel they will get a fair and impartial hearing.

I fully endorse Lydia Long for Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1, Place 1. I have worked along side of her several projects including the incredibly successful Camp Barkeley Dog Park and as a board member on The Center for Contemporary Arts. She gives back in many ways to her community and will work hard for all the residents of Taylor County.

Dr. Long has a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Administration from Sam Houston State. She has taught and trained a variety of students and law enforcement officers during her career. I personally want a fair and impartial judge, on the bench, one who will listen to all sides of a case before ruling. Lydia believes in personal responsibility and holds everyone accountable for their actions.

I'm excited about her plans to make the JP office more accessible to the public. She is not afraid of hard work, and has plans to hold an evening court at least once and month, and if necessary hold court on a school campus to make the courtroom more accessible to the working people and parents. Vote for Lydia Long for JP. Fair, impartial and hard-working.

  © 2012 Scripps Newspaper Group — Online

Letter: A mother's view

Staff Reports

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Irma Amber, Abilene

As a member of Southside Baptist Church, officer of the Abilene Garden Club and a neighborhood resident, I want to thank Lydia Long for her unwavering community service and devotion to Abilene. Lydia is my daughter and her love and enthusiastic bragging about Abilene is what lead me to retire here from Dallas.

Her service to the community has made Abilene a better place to live for all of us. As president of the Old Town Abilene Neighborhood Association, she has pulled together community resources to help many a neighbor in need. Presently, many of our streets are under repair as a result of her petitioning the city over several years.

When she starts a project she follows it through. She has spent many volunteer hours helping to raise money for Camp Barkeley Dog Park. This park will be enjoyed for years to come by Abilenians and their pets.

This is in addition to serving on numerous boards and two years on the city Planning & Zoning Commission. Her "day job" is an educator and grant reviewer for the Department of Justice.

I urge you to support and vote for Lydia Long, Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1, Place 1. She has the educational background (a Ph.D in criminal justice), training (coroner's classes, SIDS) and experience (20 years of teaching and training) to make her a fair, unbiased and impartial JP. We all know she is hard working (as evidenced by her service to our community).

  © 2012 Scripps Newspaper Group — Online