Letters to the editor | Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020: Elections for Congress, Stanislaus judge

Howze will stand for Valley

I attended the forum at the State Theatre hosted by The Modesto Bee. I have decided to support Ted Howze.

I want to support an individual that has had an ag-related business for 25 years. He still had time to devote to coaching football and making a difference in the lives of young people. He worked his way through UC Davis as a firefighter. He realizes the needs of families and businesses here in the Central Valley. He will represent us well and work to protect our Valley for future generations. He knows the challenges ahead and will stand up for us.

Harder works hard for us

Josh Harder is our congressperson. Technically he’s a freshman but I’m guessing he feels like a senior class member by now; this year in Congress has seemed like at least four years long and has required every member to hit the ground running.

Rep. Harder has been spending this year working hard for us, keeping his eye on all of the needs unique to Central Valley residents especially in the area of healthcare, pre-existing conditions, and mental health issues by sponsoring the Improving Access to Mental Health Care Act, as well as standing up for children with special needs and their families. I appreciate Harder’s hard work and just wanted to say thanks.

Van Egmond has what it takes

I urge voters of Stanislaus County to vote for Colleen Van Egmond for judge of the Superior Court.

Experience in both civil and criminal law is important to our judicial bench. Of the three judges retiring, two serve in the civil division and the third joined the bench with primarily civil experience. Van Egmond has broad and significant experience in all areas of civil law and serves as judge pro tem in traffic court. Any contention that Van Egmond lacks trial experience is simply uninformed.

I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand the skills, knowledge and character of Van Egmond. When I previously worked for Van Egmond, I found her to be careful, considerate and highly competent. She is the kind of person you want making important decisions affecting your future.

I serve with Van Egmond on the board of trustees of the Children’s Crisis Center. She has demonstrated exemplary energy in moving the organization forward to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Her motivation is that she cares about this community and its children.

Van Egmond combines broad knowledge with caring, a rare and necessary ingredient to make an excellent judge.

Mangar’s experience stands out

If we want safe streets, schools, neighborhoods and work places, we need judges who will keep people who should be off the street off the street. It’s critical we have judges who know criminal law inside and out. There are stark differences between civil and criminal court:

• Only in criminal court is individual freedom, even one’s life, at stake.

• Criminal court has the highest burden of proof: guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

• Criminal court requires a unanimous verdict.

• Criminal court enshrines the constitutional right to a speedy trial.

If a mistake is made in criminal court, a person wrongfully accused can be imprisoned, and someone who should be kept off the streets can be released to prey on others again. Criminal court isn’t taking depositions. It isn’t about business partners arguing over their split. And it’s not traffic court. Criminal court is about the safety of our community.

That is why I am voting for Jeff Mangar. He will make an excellent judge.

This story was originally published February 11, 2020 at 10:05 AM with the headline "Letters to the editor | Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020: Elections for Congress, Stanislaus judge."