Incumbent Waters retains Charlestown judge seat

Clark County

Discussion

November 7, 2007

By STEPHANIE MOJICA The News and Tribune Wed Nov 07, 2007, 09:25 AM EST

Charlestown City Court judge incumbent and Democrat George Waters won his sixth election Tuesday night, grabbing nearly 54 percent of the vote.

Waters, 82, has served as judge of the court — which hears misdemeanor cases such as battery or public intoxication — for 20 years. His victory over Republican school teacher Fred Krenke assures him another four years in office.

The election results show Waters had 53.75 percent of the turnout, or 1,232 votes. Krenke, 62, had 46.25 percent and 1,060 votes.

“I appreciate the win and that people in Charlestown think I’ve done a good job over the years,” Waters said in a telephone interview. “I will continue to uphold the law without unnecessarily harming citizens.”

During the campaign, Krenke criticized Waters as too soft on crime for using suspended sentences on many offenders and not levying higher fines with convictions. In a follow-up interview earlier this week, Waters denied those claims.

Krenke, who had never run for political office, said in a telephone interview he learned a lot from his campaign experience and will possibly run again.

“I am encouraged by the fact I got 30 more votes than our city’s incumbent mayor (Mike Hall),” Krenke said. “I am also thrilled we have a majority Republican council.

“I would rather have that result than my own win if that would sacrifice the election of so many other Republicans.”

Krenke said he regrets not having more time to reach more neighborhoods in Charlestown, but will make a wider effort if he runs again.

Now that the judicial seat is again secured, Waters plans to put more of his energy into the court’s probation and alcohol-awareness programs, and continue working to keep families together by avoiding active incarceration whenever possible.

“Despite any criticisms against my methods, the citizens clearly support what I do in the court because they’ve re-elected me six times,” Waters said. “I have no plans to change how I handle my cases and will always work to be fair to both the families and city of Charlestown.”