Barbara Withee, in company with Jean Lee, Barbara Hayter, and Ann Smith, made a presentation on LWVUS issue of Judicial Diversity. It was agreed that it should be printed here in its entirety:
"I am here today as a member of the Manhattan/Riley County League of Women Voters. Nationwide the League has a long history of promoting the importance of fair and impartial courts. Out state and local Leagues in Kansas are participating in a national League of Women Voters initiative "Safeguarding US. Democracy: A Quest for a More Diverse Judiciary."
"During the next two years, 2010-201, the eight Leagues in Kansas will be participating in a two year effort to draw attention to the diversity, or lack thereof, in the judiciary system in Kansas. We are planning local projects and events that will help educate the public about the benefits of a judiciary that mirrors the diversity percentages in the state's population These state wide efforts will be promoting diversity at all levels of the state judiciary to enhance our system of justice in the eyes of an increasingly diverse public.
"Included in your packet of information is a table that demonstrates the disparity that currently exists in Kansas judicial districts. It shows that, while females comprise 50% of the population of Kansas, only 17% of the judiciary is female. Almost 7% of Kansans are African-American and only 1.5% of the judiciary is African-American. The percentages are even lower for Latinos, Naive Americans, and Asians. These diversity numbers apply to both gender and ethnicity.
"We are fortunate to be one of the several Judicial Districts in in Kansas where judges are appointed rather than elected. This tends to take party politics out of the process. Judges are first nominated by a Nominating Commission established by law in the districts where there is an open position. This Commission is the key to building a more diverse judicial system in Kansas. For those present who are unfamiliar with the process here is a brief description.
"In Judicial Districts such as ours that include two counties the Board of County Commissioners of each of the counties shall appoint two non lawyers to serve for four year terms on the Nominating Commission. Those appointed must be certified to the clerk of the Supreme Court on or before February 15 of the year in which terms of office commence.
"Lawyer members of the Nominating Commission are elected by the lawyers who are qualified electors of the Judicial District and who are registered with the Clerk of the Supreme Court. In a judicial district consisting of two counties, four lawyer members shall be elected. No mention is made of the county residence of these nominees.
"A Supreme Court Justice is assigned to each Judicial District to provide oversight of the Nominating Commission. Presently the oversight judge for our Judicial District is Judge Marla Luckert. More information is included in the information packet.
"Today we want to emphasize the importance of your selections to this Nominating Commission. In 2012 you will be nominating to members to the Commission. Your careful Consideration of diversity at this level will help ensure the Nomination Commission's consideration of diversity as it carefully selects competent judiciary candidates. We are especially interested in how the search for these candidates is conducted and the process used to make the final selection.
"A part of our effort in Riley County and adjacent counties is to encourage students, regardless of background and gender, to learn all they can about the legal system so that more students from diverse backgrounds will aspire to be a part of that system. We will also be encouraging public school teachers and college professors to assist them in their efforts.
"On September 15, 2010, during Constitution Week, the League of Women Voters of Manhattan/Riley County has invited Kansas Supreme Court Justice Marla Luckert speak at Form Hall at Kansas State University. Her speech will be followed by a panel discussion regarding judicial diversity issues. We invite you to attend this public discussion as we explore all aspects of the issue. You will be receiving more information regarding this event and Constitution Week at K-State.
"A continuance of the status quo in the Judiciary system will affect the way citizens look at the role courts play in their communities and their lives. Unless the Court system if perceived to be fair and impartial it will erode the trust that our citizens have in the court system.
"For more information contact: Jean Lee 537-9372 or Barbara Withee 539-9440"
Johnette Shepek, Budget and Finance Officer, presented a clarification of the budgeting process of the RCPD, and the impact of hiring eleven (11) correction officers to man the soon-to-be-opened new part of the jail. By means of using carryover funds from 2009 Budget instead of waiting for budgeting the $125,195.50 cost in following years, it is possible to "swallow the bulge" sooner rather than later. Commissioners and RcCPD Director Schoen agreed that we must have the Officers hired to serve starting January 2011. Trying to hire for only nine months or six months would be simply postponing the budgetary pain, not avoiding it. This decision, by consensus, was influenced by the cost of "farming out" prisoners to other counties, including transportation costs for Court appearances, etc.
Commissioners and Human Resources Director began preparing for the interview of a job applicant for a County position, to be conducted in Executive Session.
Submitted by Lyndal Nyberg
No comments:
Post a Comment