GLENDALE : Judicial Candidates Outline Differences

The six candidates for Glendale municipal judge disagree on many things: who among them is most qualified for the job, who is most compassionate, who will work hardest. They even disagree on the value of high-profile endorsements.

The candidates were cordial with each other at the fifth public forum of the campaign Monday night at Descanso Gardens in La Canada.

But James Simpson--whom some local pundits consider the favorite in the race--received a few verbal jabs for touting his long list of endorsements from the Glendale City Council, the city’s police chief, federal and state representatives and other officials.

“Before making their endorsements, did these people speak with each and every one of the candidates?” said Stephen Lubell, a trial attorney and candidate. “You’ll find that is not the case, and I think that’s a very important thing to keep in mind.”

Simpson, a deputy Los Angeles County district attorney for 29 years, also emphasized his professional experience, his education and involvement in the Boy Scouts and other community organizations. He said he was proud of his endorsements, including one from Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lance Ito, who is presiding over the O. J. Simpson murder case.

“Why are (endorsements) important? These people care about this community. They want the very best candidate for judge, and I am the best candidate,” Simpson said.

The candidates--who also include Glendale Municipal Court Commissioner Donna Bracke and local attorneys Harvey Goldhammer, L. Edmund Kellogg and Robert Yanez--are running for the seat vacated by former Judge James Rogan. Rogan was elected to the state Assembly in a special election in May to fill out the term of Republican Pat Nolan, who left office after pleading guilty to a corruption charge.

The winner in the Nov. 3 election will be elected to a six-year term and will preside over misdemeanor criminal trials and felony hearings, as well as civil cases and traffic matters. On a rotating basis, Glendale’s three judges also serve as presiding judge of the courthouse, which also has two commissioners.

The Glendale judicial district includes La Crescenta, La Canada, Montrose and Sunland, as well as Glendale.

Bracke, a deputy district attorney for nine years and a commissioner for four, contended that she, too, has prominent endorsements, including the Glendale Police Officers Assn., sitting Glendale Municipal Judges Barbara Lee Burke and Joseph DeVanon and Los Angeles Superior Court Judge John Ouderkirk, who presided over the Reginald Denny beating case.

“(Ouderkirk) told me his endorsement probably doesn’t mean anything since no one remembers who Reginald Denny is anymore,” Bracke quipped.

The candidates were each asked to answer a series of questions ranging from why they want the job to what they think judges can do to reduce crime to how they would cut costs in the courthouse and how they would prevent frivolous lawsuits.

All said that, if elected, they would bring a unique style of justice to the bench.

Kellogg, a full-time practicing attorney who also teaches criminal justice classes at three community colleges, described himself as a self-financed outsider candidate who would root out corruption in the courts.

Kellogg and Yanez, a foster parent, said they would work to help steer troubled youths away from crime. Yanez pledged to serve the full six years if elected, but said ultimately he would like to work in the juvenile court system.

Goldhammer, meanwhile, stressed his “educational excellence” and his experience as an arbitrator, judge pro tem and trial attorney.

“When was the last time (the other candidates) tried a case? I try cases. You need that experience,” Goldhammer said.