April 21 , 2022 The Beacon • 15

injured but never reported it because guys are supposed to be tough and able to fight back . I was overpowered and overcome by superior force .

I recently went after my attacker when he surfaced again after many years in the case of a young man from Cambridge . I went to the city of Pittsburgh and did all I could do to get local authorities to go after this bad guy who is now a sexual offender in the State of Pittsburgh and on the loose . As a result of my recent efforts , the Guernsey County prosecutor made a referral to the Pittsburgh District Attorney ’ s Office , and they have opened an active investigation .

Just six months ago , a young mother came to my office and indicated to me that a man had tried to lure her 15-year-old daughter to Pittsburgh for sex . The picture of the man she showed me was the same guy who attacked me when I was 30 years old in Cleveland and the same guy I recently went after in Pittsburgh . I understand what victims go through , and I understand how important it is to listen to their story and not discount what they went

through .

Nevertheless , we cannot allow victims to compromise public safety by demanding minimum sentences of 10 years or less for child rapists and predators . That does not protect other families and their children .

I have one other story to tell . My grandfather and grandmother went on one vacation in their entire lives , and when they came home , their house had been burglarized and my grandfather ’ s World War II medals were stolen . My grandmother was never the same . Whenever we took my grandmother home , she would not exit the car until and unless we went ahead of her into the house and turned on all of the lights and opened every door and closet and looked under every bed for a possible intruder .

She never got over the fact that someone burglarized her home . This is why I am running for judge . Our court is lenient on violent offenses , gives minimum sentences to child rapists , allows Christmas furlough for heroin dealers and grants early judicial release for serious drug traffickers who are lucky to serve three , four or even eight months of a typical 17-month sentence . Serious crimes require serious time .

What past experiences make you a good candidate for it ?

I am a staunch conservative who believes a government that is limited and small is best . I have a

broad legal background in criminal and civil law and especially Ohio real estate law . I also believe those in power should follow their own rules to the letter and not impose rules on others they do not follow .

I am a born-again Christian who believes Christ died for our sins and that only after a profession of faith and by grace are we saved . Family is important to me . My mom , dad , two sisters , and seven nieces and nephews are all actively involved in my life and my campaign . Parents should have the right to determine the upbringing of their children unimpeded by the state and local authorities including school boards . Because the bad guys all have access to guns , I believe the good guys should too . I believe the right to bear arms is guaranteed and absolute under the U . S . Constitution .

What would be your top priorities if elected ?

I will speed up the delay in the civil docket and may consider the proposal of the Juvenile Court to share the magistrate ’ s position between the two courts . Whatever we do , we need a full-time dedicated magistrate to keep the family and civil dockets moving .

I will require each person who works for the court and who performs work at the courthouse to fully disclose the names of their relatives — spouses , children , uncles , aunts , and nieces and nephews — and other potential conflicts of interest to ensure my

An Independent Insurance Agency “ Providing Peace of Mind Since 1904 .”

administration is free and clear of improper influences and connections to various factions in the county .

I don ’ t socialize with the establishment or the elites of Coshocton so they cannot influence me . Whether you are from the Hilltop or the Valley , I want justice in this county to be truly blind so the punishment always fits the crime and not the person . I will rein in the abusive plea bargain process and crazy sweet-heart sentences given out by our local court to violent criminals . I say this to violent criminals and those who traffic in heroin and fentanyl and other such drugs , “ You will do serious time for these serious crimes if I am elected judge .”

BF-25480

S

Ask Us About Our Safety Commitment