Judge Stacey Zimmerman, one of the first female judges elected to the Washington/Madison Circuit Court in 1998, and currently seeking her fourth term as Juvenile Court Judge, is facing a challenge on the May 20 ballot.
Lisa Parks, an attorney who currently practices in the Washington County Drug Court, will challenge the sitting jurist.
Zimmerman, 50, of Fayetteville, and Parks, 49, of Springdale, have both spoken recently to several partisan and non-partisan groups.
Both women are running as non-partisan judicial candidates on the May ballot. Voters casting either a Democrat or Republican ballot in the party primaries will see their names on their party ballots.
Those voters not wishing to be involved in the Political Party Primary may choose a Non Partisan ballot when voting, and both names will also appear there.
The only election of this office will be on the Tuesday, May 20, ballots. There will be no runoff as only two candidates are seeking the office.
Washington County Enterprise Leader asked both candidates to submit a written platform of their candidacy, within the prescribed limits of judicial candidates set forth by state standards for judicial candidates. A portion of each of their answers will appear below.
From Judge Stacey Zimmerman: "For the last 23 years, I have been privileged to work with families and children, especially the last 15 years as juvenile judge for Washington and Madison counties. Helping improve the lives of children is one of the greatest honors I've had in my life and one I wish to continue. I'm committed to the youth in our community. I strive to give them the tools they need to succeed.
"I have served as juvenile judge, volunteer attorney ad litem for children, family law attorney, and juvenile court prosecutor. I have handled more than 16,000 juvenile cases.
"On a day-to-day basis, I decide juvenile delinquency cases, cases involving children in foster care, child custody cases, as well as paternity, adoptions and Family in Need of Services matters. I average 120 cases a week, holding court in the Washington County Juvenile Justice Center in Fayetteville and in the Madison County Courthouse in Huntsville.
"Over the years, I have implemented a number of programs to mentor youth, hold them accountable and proactively reach at-risk children and their families. Our community is still growing and it will be important going forward to have a juvenile judge with a successful track record. Someone with a strong network of partnerships in the community, and someone who has time-tested experience on the bench. I am the person that does have that kind of ability and experience," Zimmerman writes.
Zimmerman was named: Arkansas Juvenile Judge of the Year 2009-2010 by the Arkansas Coalition for Juvenile Justice, Arkansas Juvenile Judge of the Year 2006 by Arkansas CASA for work with abused and neglected children.
Attorney Lisa Parks writes: "I believe Juvenile Court has a special responsibility to find creative and alternative ways to address historical, repeating problems.
"I may be a fresh face, but I have worked in juvenile court and in virtually all other courts for the last 13 years. I have worked with many quality judges, and I will be a very patient, balanced voice on the bench," writes Parks.
Parks, citing U.S. Census Bureau data, says Arkansas has ranked dead last in the nation in the category of "disconnected youth." She explains this as teenagers between the ages of 16 to 19 who are not enrolled in school and are also not employed. She believes it is unacceptable to allow these disconnected youth to sit idle because, as she warns, it spells trouble.
"I will connect with our community and talk with local businesses and non-profits. I will put idle hands to work volunteering and doing things that matter by making community service a condition of release, every chance I can find. I intend to build the strongest mentoring program our state has seen. I want our kids to be surrounded by people who care about them and who will serve as strong role models.
"In my law practice, I see people beyond the sum of their mistakes. I have faith in people, especially children, for what they can achieve, if they are offered a deserving second chance," Parks added. "But I believe the best solution to a mistake or crime is a healthy dose of accountability. Accountability must extend not only to the children but also to the parents. I'll hold children accountable, but I'll also ask whether the parent's lack of participation was part of the problem," Parks writes.
Again, the election is May 20, 2014.
MAYLON RICE HAS WRITTEN BOTH NEWS ARTICLES AND COLUMNS FOR SEVERAL NWA PUBLICATIONS. HE HAS BEEN WRITING FOR THE ENTERPRISE-LEADER FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
Editorial on 04/09/2014