Taking a Break with Kirsten

Joyce took a break from her booth at the Medina County Fair to attend the Medina County Honors Ensemble concert held at the Fair on Thursday, July 31. Her granddaughter, Kirsten Kimbler, was one of the choir members. Afterwards she and Kirsten toured the Fair.

Kirsten waiting for the state of the Honors Ensemble concert. 

Kirsten models 3 snakes during Our Zoo to You at the Medina County Fair

The Heroin Crisis and Ohio's Courts

       A record number of Ohioans are dying from heroin. According to the Medina County Drug Task Force, Heroin related deaths have risen in Medina County each of the last four years. “Right here in Medina County, 20 individuals died of a heroin overdose in 2013.” A concurrent problem is prescription drug abuse. A common scenario is that people first become addicted to prescription drugs and then turn to  heroin because it is easier to get.

      The ripple effect of this problem affects the quality of life of the people you serve and the community you are striving to build. This is not a Medina problem or a Wadsworth problem or Brunswick problem, it is a life and death problem.

       When a heroin addict is arrested, the court is presented with the opportunity to impact both the addict and the community to which that addict will return.

       So the question becomes, what opportunities can the Medina County Common Pleas Courts provide while maintaining accountability on the part of the addict?

       According to Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, “Specialized dockets have proven effective at addressing persistent criminal behaviors,” “Specialized dockets result in significantly lower recidivism rates which means offenders become productive members of society, for which we all benefit.”

       Specialized dockets are courts that are dedicated to specific types of offenses or offenders and use a combination of different techniques for holding offenders accountable while also addressing the underlying causes of their behavior. Examples include drug courts, mental health courts, veterans’ courts, and re-entry courts. Such courts do not provide the offender with a free pass

       To become a certified specialized docket requires the court to establish eligibility requirements, evaluate the effectiveness of the specialized docket, and assemble a treatment team for implementing daily operations of the specialized docket. The team can include licensed treatment providers, law enforcement, court personnel, other local agency staff, and is headed by the specialized docket judge.

       Presently there are more than 150 specialized dockets in Ohio courts that bring together court and treatment personnel to work collaboratively to assist defendants with treatment instead of prison for issues such as drugs, alcohol, and mental health. The success of specialized dockets is measured by reduced recidivism, improved treatment, and cost savings. While there are no certified specialized dockets in Medina County,  Judge Kimbler's drug court is awaiting final certification as such a docket.

       The use of specialized dockets is a decision made by each judge individually, that is, there is no requirement that judges use specialized dockets. This means that whether or not this resource is used depends on the people who are elected judges on the common pleas courts of Ohio.

            My practice of law over the last 32 years has taken me into Counties throughout the State of Ohio. In that time I have had the privilege of meeting scores of judges and seeing a broad perspective on the administration of justice. I have met with Judges in other counties who operate specialized dockets to educate myself on the benefits of these specialized dockets.

       In running for Common Pleas Court, I am not asking the voters of Medina County to elect me to the position as judge because I think I know all of the answers. I am asking the voters to elect me because I have the depth and breadth of experience to ask the right questions and know where to look for direction to find the right answers.

Meeting Some Cool Kids at the Medina County Fair

By Joyce V. Kimbler

On Tuesday morning I went with my husband, Judge James L. Kimbler, to the 4-H Outstanding High School Seniors' Recognition Breakfast at the Medina County Fair. Although my husband has attended this event several times this was my first time. The 4-H holds the breakfast to recognize seniors who were nominated by either a club adviser or another 4-H member for outstanding service. To be nominated the member must have four years of 4-H involvement, fill out an application, and submit an essay.

This year there were 25 seniors recognized by the 4-H clubs of Medina County. Two of the seniors were Logan Detwiler and Alexis Cook. I was able to talk to Alexis and Logan at some length and came away from my conversations very impressed with their dedication to the ideals of 4-H and what they had accomplished as 4-H members.

Alexis has been a 4-H member for 12 years. She has completed community service projects involving seniors and cleaning parks. She is an accomplished shooter, winning a state award for shotgun shooting. She has also served as a counselor for the 4-H day camp and the 4-H camp on Kelleys Island. She has been on the Medina County Junior Fair Board.

Logan has been a 4-H member for four years. Last year he won an award for a premier exhibitor. He constructed his club's promotional display. His projects have included sports nutrition, photography, tobacco awareness, hiking in the Appalachian Mountains, and photographing Mount Rushmore.

Alexis and Logan, as well as the other 23 Outstanding Seniors, are examples of great kids doing good things for themselves, their clubs, and their communities. The skills they learned in 4-H will serve them well throughout life. It was a pleasure being able to spend some time with them.

You can read more about Logan and Alexis as well as the other 23 Outstanding Seniors by clicking here.  A photo of all 25 of the Outstanding Seniors appears below. Alexis is the fourth from the right in the front
row and Logan is the third from the left in the back row.

Visit Joyce's Booth at the Medina County Fair

The Joyce Kimbler for Judge Committee has a booth for the Medina County Fair. Joyce will be there during the Fair to meet and talk to Medina County voters. You can enter a drawing for a $50.00 gas card from Marathon by giving Joyce a yard sign location. Below is a picture of Joyce's booth at the Fair.

Judicial Professionalism

The Ohio Supreme Court has a Commission on Professionalism, which was established during the tenure of the late Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Moyer. Chief Justice Moyer believed that attorneys and judges were drifting away from the standards of professionalism needed to make sure that the public had confidence in the bar and judiciary. He had the Ohio Supreme Court establish the Commission which is made up of judges, attorneys, and lay people. The Commission was established in 1992 and is now in its 22nd year.

The Commission released on July 21, 2014, its fifth edition of its publication on best practices in professionalism. Included in that publication was a section entitled "Dos and Don'ts Guide for Judicial Professionalism."

I have reviewed that publication and find that the recommended behavior for Ohio judges is what I expect from the judges in front of whom I appear. Indeed, those judges for whom I have the most respect are those judges who incorporate those practices.

If I am elected Medina County Common Pleas Court Judge I will strive to make sure that I and my staff follow the recommendations of the Ohio Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism.

A copy of the guide can be view by clicking here. 

Social Justice Event at Second Baptist in Medina

On Sunday, July 20, 2014, Joyce attended a Social Justice Sermon at the Second Baptist Church in Medina. The guest minister was State Senator Nina Turner, who is running for Ohio Secretary of State. She talked about influences in her life, especially her Southern grandmother. It was a very moving experience and Joyce was grateful to Rev. Carter and the Second Baptist congregation for the hospitality that they showed to Joyce.

Seville Fundraiser for Joyce on July 26, 2014

Michael and Barbara Damore are hosting a fundraiser for Joyce at their home in Seville on Saturday, July 26, 2014, from 2-4 pm. The cost is $15.00 per person or $25.00 per couple. For more information about this event please click on the pictures below. To RSVP for this event please click here.