The Beacon's Endorsements for Superior Court Judge

In the state of Georgia, alone, we have had 21 judges removed from the bench because of criminal or otherwise questionable behavior. This is prima facie evidence that supports the importance of voters vetting and researching judicial candidates more deeply. We must elect the right candidate in order to get the right Judge.  While most people would agree that a person who seeks to be a Judge must be a person of integrity, honesty, forthrightness and a have a commitment to upholding the rule of law, unfortunately our electoral selection of Judges often boils down to what could be described as a coin toss or bottle spin.

A good Judge is a person of keen intellect and even temperament. A good Judge strives toward perfection in the daily administration of justice. 

Should that achievement not be reached, a good Judge begins the next day with that same goal in mind.  

As Fulton County voters prepare to elect a replacement for the outgoing Jurist, Judge Westmoreland, The Beacon would like voters to bear in mind the importance of the role and responsibilities that all Judges play in our lives. As we choose the candidate, let us look closely at the person behind the promises and see if there is anything that would suggest that a Judge candidate might have trouble with exercising good judgment. As our editors studied the candidates, we looked carefully at each one and listened intently to what they either said or wrote. 

Clarence Johnson has stated on several occasions that he was called by God to be Judge. While we revere God, we do have concerns with a Judge who claims he’ll make decisions based on voices that speak to him from the metaphysical or spiritual world.  

Shelethia Roberson has had three previous runs for office. Just last year she ran unsuccessfully for the Atlanta City Council.  Aside from her obvious fixation on being elected to any position, Roberson often talks about her desire to address social challenges facing our community. While her goals may be admirable, our Judges should be constitutionalists, not public policy advocates.

Karlise Grier ran unsuccessfully for Judge two years ago. She is a very nice person. But she’s also an unimpressive candidate who straddles the fence on most legal questions. We need Judges who are capable of making decisions, regardless of their popularity. The law is the law, and the Constitution is the Constitution. Greir, in an effort to please all, says nothing of substance. She is like the David Souter of this race. You really have no idea what you get if she’s elected. That’s way too risky a proposition for us. One Souter in one lifetime is enough. 

Kelly Amanda Lee ran unsuccessfully for Judge two years ago.  A lawyer who moonlights as a yoga instructor, Lee has spent the last two months defending her two DUI convictions. While Lee claims to have stopped drinking, her poor judgment is exactly the type of indicator that lends itself to why we’ve had 21 Judges removed from office of late. 

Most troubling is the fact that Lee never disclosed her convictions to contributors or donors. 

Lee often touts that she has been recommended twice to the Governor for Judge. True, but she has been passed over by the Governor twice. Why? 

We also have grave political concerns. Lee has been endorsed by nearly every North Fulton elected official. This is a non-partisan race. Why are so many politicians in North Fulton endorsing her? Whose pocket is she in? 

As journalists, this simply does not feel good to us. We need Judges who are independent and not beholden or indebted to anyone, least of all, local politicians. 

Chloe Dallaire is an accomplished, serious attorney. Her legal career has been exemplary.  Dallaire has a broad range of experience in dealing with complex legal matters and has earned the respect of her peers.  The Atlanta Bar voted Dallaire as the “Best Qualified” candidate to be Judge in this race.  An unapologetic supporter of the Second Amendment and strict Constitutionalist, Dallaire is the embodiment of the principles and qualities that we need in our Fulton County Judges. 

The Beacon endorses Chloe Dallaire For Fulton County Superior Court Judge. 

FULTON COUNTY COMMISSION - CHAIRMAN 

The race for Fulton County Commission Chairman may be the most important decision facing Beacon readers. The incumbent Commission Chairman, Democrat John Eaves, has had four years to improve Fulton County. 

He has little to show in the form of accomplishments in that time.

Under Eaves’ watch there has been an abundant of deficit spending: by way of raiding the county’s reserves.

Eaves has made questionable budgetary decisions. 

Eaves has sat on his hands and done nothing to investigate the allegations that Fulton County employees have stolen $185,000 of taxpayers’ money.

Upon learning of the potential scandal from a whistleblower, Eaves twiddles his thumbs and watched while his inept county manager, Zachary Williams, fired the whistleblower and canceled the whole investigation. 

In contrast is Republican challenger is Steve Broadbent.

Broadbent [pictured] is a political neophyte. That’s a good thing.

Broadbent is not part of the Fulton County Republican Party establishment. That’s even better thing. 

Broadbent owes no one. He’s not “climbing the ladder.” He is not a professional politician and he does not owe political favors to the old party guard and power brokers. He’s his own man. That’s refreshing. And that’s the best thing. 

Broadbent is a no-nonsense “tell it like it is and I don’t care what you think” reformer who is in this race for one reason: to clean this mess up. 

Broadbent was a Naval Officer, a Deputy Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of the Treasury under Bush 41, an AT&T Vice President and a small business owner.  

Broadbent is not promising the voters the moon and the stars. Rather, he is giving real, candid solutions to clean up the county’s alleged corruption, to cut wasteful spending, and to slash property taxes. Most of all, he’ll tell the truth. 

Milton County is not going to happen in the near future. So we have to fix what we are stuck with: in this case it’s the Fulton County government. 

The Beacon endorses Steve Broadbent for Fulton County Commission Chairman.