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For more information about these candidates check out our Voters Guide at vote.daytondailynews.com
With around 7,000 eligible voters and eight candidates, the new Oakwood Municipal Judge could, in theory, be elected with far fewer than 1,000 votes, especially if only half the electorate participates like in 2009.
In a recent candidates’ forum, more than one potential judge said the race “isn’t a popularity contest,” but voters must decide among a group that admits the other options also are qualified. The candidates, in alphabetical order:
Ward Barrentine
Job: Assistant prosecuting attorney for Montgomery County
Experience/platform: Barrentine said he prosecuted two Oakwood serial burglars who broke into a combined 60 homes: "I am well versed in the traffic offenses that make up a significant amount of the municipal court caseload." Barrentine wants to utilize the existing video equipment so arraignments can take place without defendants being driven back and forth from jail and modernize other court operations: "Oakwood needs to place its court records online so that all citizens can check the status of actions pending before the court."
Chris Conard
Job: Defense attorney at Coolidge Wall law firm
Experience/platform: The former Montgomery County assistant public defender said, "I am the only candidate to manage a public office and advise municipalities on legal matters involving a variety of issues including: zoning, legislation, labor and personnel matters and the operation of a Mayor's Court." Conard said he's worked with county and municipal leaders on finding cost-effective solutions to deliver legal services to the community. " Conard wants to find alternatives to prison for non-violent offenders:
Chris Epley
Job: Assistant prosecuting attorney in Vandalia Municipal Court
Experience/platform: Epley is the vice president of Oakwood City Schools, a position he would resign if he won, and is a visiting magistrate in Dayton Municipal Court. Epley is for a more open court system:"Many times it is a matter of educating the public and remaining transparent. Some courts have recognized the importance of transparency and include various court information on websites to keep the public informed." Epley won the endorsement of the Miami Valley Trial Lawyers, though not every candidate sought the endorsement.
Sara Hein
Job: Assistant prosecuting attorney in Montgomery County
Experience/platform: Hein said she would not practice law in any other capacity if she was elected Oakwood's judge. "I do not believe the judge should be on the bench with regular potential conflicts of interest from private clientele, from private practice, or from partnerships in a firm." Hein also believes Oakwood's court could be more modern: "Our court can continue to grow in its capacity to serve the community by continually being apprised of and implementing new programs, services, and technologies that are currently being utilized by other courts."
Michael Hochwalt
Job: Partner at Hochwalt & Schiff law firm
Experience/platform: Hochwalt has counseled troubled teenagers in Cincinnati and spent time as Oakwood's wrestling coach. "With my dual expertise in counseling and law, with additional expertise in mediation and settlement techniques, I am better able to make use of these disciplines to curb repetitive crime by offenders for the benefit of the community," Hochwalt said. He also worked as an assistant county prosecutor and a magistrate/referee in Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court. "As long as cases are handled fairly and expeditiously, there is no improvement necessary."
Brian Huelsman
Job: Public defender for Montgomery County
Experience/platform: Huelsman also has been a prosecuting attorney: "I have argued both sides of the fence and gained a unique perspective regarding judicial deliberation." Huelsman said he's in favor of outreach and educational programs for youth to learn about court and that he believes he can make Oakwood's court self-sufficient and that sending court services elsewhere is a bad idea: "This has been a hot potato, so to speak, as far as the court going somewhere else, going to Kettering. People think that (the city) will save money, but being on the budget review committee, I've seen the numbers."
Richard Lipowicz
Job: Partner at Douple, Beyoglides, Hansen, Claypool, Kovich, Lipowicz & LaMusga law firm
Experience/platform: A former Montgomery County prosecutor, Lipowicz said he also practiced municipal law for Oakwood while at another firm. Lipowicz said his small business experience is a plus. "I will immediately take action to make the court economically self-sufficient," he said. "I will increase the court costs charged to criminal and traffic offenders to the level of other municipal courts in Montgomery County. I will also assess transportation and incarceration fees on offenders where appropriate."
Margaret Quinn
Job: Magistrate at Miamisburg Municipal Court
Experience/platform: Quinn has represented the Air Force Logistics Command in contract litigation and retired as a federal prosecutor with the United States Attorney's Office, Southern District of Ohio and does pro bono defense work. "I am the only candidate to have experience in all three facets of courtroom and trial work; that is, as a prosecutor, as a defender, and now, as a Magistrate," she said, adding that she hears cases identical to those an Oakwood judge would hear. "The court system here is, in my experience, very user friendly," she said. "As long as we can, we want to preserve that."
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