Thank you for your interest in my campaign for district court judge. My reasons for running are very simple. I feel I have a lot to offer the Ramsey County court system, and I believe I will be a better judge. I have pledged not to do any negative campaigning, and I will stick to that pledge. I have been approached by many individuals and groups who are not happy with the job that Michael Fetsch has been doing. I am not aligned or endorsed by any of these, nor do I intend to pursue any type of agenda on their behalf. Suffice it to say that there is a lot of negative campaigning that I could be doing but am choosing not to. I am running strictly on my merits to serve, and because I would like to improve on the way things are currently being done. I believe I am more approachable, articulate, down-to-earth, courteous, kind, and diplomatic than my opponent, and I will make an excellent judge for Ramsey County. I hope you will vote for me on November 2nd.
-----Original Message----- From: Andy Driscoll <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Oct 26, 2004 10:33 PM To: "St. Paul Discuss" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [StPaul] Sifferle For Ramsey County Judge?? I do not know Ms. Sifferle (I think), but I am compelled by the presence of this endorsement of her candidacy to question as to why she is opposing the re-election of Judge Michael Fetsch. While Patricia Sifferle may well be qualified to serve, it is more than imperative that she state her reasons for why we should unseat an eminently fair and extraordinarily competent jurist like Mike Fetsch. It is customary, especially for nonpartisan seats on the District Court, that challengers to an incumbent judge standing for reelection (or election, if appointed) present cogent reasons for doing so, and I challenge Ms. Sifferle to state those reasons. This comes from her website: "It is the judge�s job to maintain the public confidence in the justice system, and to maintain courtesy and civility in the courtroom at all times.� "I believe that judges should remain independent and neutral - not beholden to any special interests.�I have therefore chosen not to seek or accept endorsements from any groups, individuals, or corporations." Does Ms. Sifferle oppose Michael Fetsch because she believe he has violated these tenets? If so, which ones and what are the specifics? She also states her credo: "I believe that all judges should administer the law and constitution objectively and impartially, without regard to their personal beliefs or convictions, and without regard to race, sex, religion, disability, or class status.�Judges should constantly look for new ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the court system.�This means listening to the views of litigants, court staff, attorneys and the public.�It also means being open to trying new and innovative solutions.�I also believe that, in these times of shrinking budgets and increasing case loads, more emphasis should be placed on resolving disputes short of trial - through mediation, arbitration, or negotiation." All this is excellent and true - but again, tell us why Judge Fetsch has failed in any one of these areas of your concern from the bench or anywhere else. Now, it's my turn: I've known Mike Fetsch for 60+ years. He even hassled me during our grade school days at St. Luke's parochial school before we became good friends. And, although we don't socialize much these days, Mike's record as a solid jurist is renown in local legal circles (to which I am also intimately connected through citizenship and an attorney-brother and his wife, a Ramsey County judge's clerk). Fetsch's work record as an attorney for hundreds of underdog cases is among the most respected in Minnesota - part of which led to his initial appointment by a governor not of his political party. Mike is a calm, evenhanded judge, in keeping with his brush with the priesthood the schooling for which he stopped just one year shy of ordination many years ago. This is a jurist who has earned his credentials in the streets, in courtroom and on the bench and deserves election/reelection. In my experience, lawyers who step forward to challenge a sitting jurist have either been put up to it by an organization wanting their point of view dominating the bench (which would refute Ms. Sifferle's stated tenets) or a personal or professional beef with the incumbent. If any of these are true of Ms. Sifferle, I'd like her to state them openly. If she brings up fair cause to unseat Mike Fetsch, let the campaign determine their validity and/or importance. Andy Driscoll Summit Hill Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 15:15:41 -0500 From: John Birrenbach <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Message forwarded to list: Please visit http://www.patriciasifferle.org Dear friends and supporters: As you know, I'm seeking the position of judge in the Ramsey County District Court, simply because I feel I have a lot to offer. Last week, the Pioneer Press said, "Sifferle has a great deal to offer as a potential judge." With only one week until the election, my feet are getting VERY sore from campaigning! So I thought I would try to help spread the word through an e-mail. My website has complete information about me and my candidacy for district court judge. If you're interested, please visit it at http://www.patriciasifferle.org. I'm wondering if you would consider helping me out by passing this e-mail along to anyone you know who may be interested, where appropriate. Please do not forward it to any state employees at their work address, as this would violate state policy. Thanks to everyone for your help, support, and encouragement thus far. I'll be sending out real thank-notes after the election! Sincerely, Patricia Sifferle P.S. If you are interested in a lawn sign, or in volunteering for canvassing this weekend, please let me know! E-mail me at mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] It's not too late! --end of forwarded email-- I and, more importantly my sane, wife both endorse and support and wish Ms. Sifferle well in her bid to become a Ramsey County Judge. -- Sincerely, John Birrenbach W 7th Neighborhood, St Paul MN ------ End of Forwarded Message _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
