Editor’s Note: Submissions appear as the candidates submitted them without editing.Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. If an answer length’s has been edited, it is because the answer extended beyond the predetermined limit. Unabridged answers appear on our Web site www.newsandtribune.com under the Election 2007 link. Except where noted, questionnaires are only being published for contested races.

Scott Lewis

• POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Republican

• AGE: 37

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: Providence High School, Diploma 1988, Purdue University, B.S. 1992 with Distinction, Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis, J.D., 1995 Cum Laude, Associate Editor, Indiana Law Review

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Admitted to the Indiana Bar, 1995, Clark County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, 1995-1997, Scott Lewis Law Office, 1997-present, Clark County Commissioners' Attorney, 2001-2004, Clark County Council Attorney, 2005-present, Jeffersonville Sewer Board Attorney, 2006-present, Jeffersonville City Court Judge, 2007-present

• FAMILY NOTES: Single



1) What is your primary reason for seeking this position?

“I am the current Judge of the Jeffersonville City Court. I have chosen to run in order to continue to serve the citizens of Jeffersonville in an ethical, responsible and mature manner. A Judge must be trustworthy and of high moral character. I am running in order to ensure that the voters can choose a Judge without a criminal record and who demonstrates high morals both on and off the bench. I am running to give the voters a choice. The Jeffersonville City Court has been recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for its aggressive and progressive approach in dealing with drunk driving cases. The Court's ignition interlock program, Victim's Impact Panel, Defensive Driving Classes and City Alcohol Program have set the gold standard for other courts to follow. Drunk Driving is serious and I want to make sure that the next Judge of the City Court takes it seriously. Finally, the City Court has been run in an efficient, cost-effective manner and I will continue to do so. The City Court funds the majority of its budget from user's fees and costs and not from taxpayer's money. It is important to be both just and fiscally responsible.”



2) If elected, which issue is your priority to address first and what is your suggested solution?

“The major issue facing all criminal courts today is repeat offenders. The ignition interlock program for drunk driving cases and our other programs are designed to both punish, educate and discourage repeat offenders. However, this is not enough. If elected, I will work to develop additional programs designed to diminish the number of repeat offenders. I plan to do this with the assistance and cooperation of faith-based institutions throughout the community. Partnering with faith-based institutions creates a stronger bond between the offender and the community. In order to discourage repeat offenders we must teach them that they have a stake in our community and we can utilize the skills and assets available through our faith-based organizations to reinforce this belief.”



3) What specifically distinguishes you from your opponent in this race?

“Unlike my opponent, I have never been arrested, charged or convicted of any criminal offense. I have been a law-abiding citizen my entire life. I believe this is a very important difference between me and my opponent. I believe that a Judge must have the respect of those that he sits in judgment. I believe that a Judge who has been convicted of a crime would have a difficult time garnering respect from those whom he sits in judgment. In addition, my experience as a public and private lawyer is substantially greater than that of my opponent. I have served the people of Clark County as a Deputy Prosecutor. I have prosecuted felony and misdemeanor crimes as well as juvenile cases. I have collected child support from delinquent fathers. I have also served as the attorney for the Clark County Commissioners, the Clark County Council and the Jeffersonville Sewer Board. Both Democrats and Republicans have chosen me for these positions due to my legal skills and my non-partisanship. Finally, I have been serving the people as Jeffersonville City Court Judge since January 1, 2007. I have always conducted myself professionally as a firm and fair Judge.”

Ken Pierce

• POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Democrat

• AGE: 33

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: Juris Doctor, University of Louisville - Louis D. Brandeis School of Law; Bachelor of Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Diploma, Jeffersonville High School

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Licensed Attorney, Partner, Adams & Pierce, Attorneys at Law; Jeffersonville Small Business Owner; Judge Pro Tempore for Clark Circuit Court, Clark Superior I Court, Jeffersonville City Court, Clarksville Town Court and Floyd Superior Court; Teen Court Attorney Mentor; Law Day volunteer for local schools

• FAMILY NOTES: Parents - Ken and Cindy Pierce, Brother – Kyle Pierce, married to Kimi Pierce, Fiancée – Erika Wright, Dog – Cosmo (Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier)



1) What is your primary reason for seeking this position?

“I am running for Judge of the Jeffersonville City Court because I feel that I possess the essential qualities that are necessary to be effective in this position, which is exactly what this community needs. As a local attorney I understand the underlying laws and their application in the area courts. I also understand how important it is that this Court be run effectively as its docket effects the other courts in Clark County and therefore their dockets as well. My law firm, Adams & Pierce, has provided me with the opportunity to use my legal skills while also running a business. I feel that this business experience is extremely important as we are dealing with a Court that currently has a staff of at least six employees and brings in hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in probation fees. It is my belief that the administrative aspect of this position is the most difficult and, other than courtroom experience, the most important. I believe that the above qualifications combined with my ideas and enthusiasm create a perfect opportunity for Jeffersonville City Court to do more for the community by making myself more accessible.”



2) If elected, which issue is your priority to address first and what is your suggested solution?

“The most important issue facing Jeffersonville City Court is crime prevention, be it preventing first time offenders or preventing people from re-committing crimes, referred to as recidivism. To prevent first time offenders, I believe the Court needs to do more to educate the public, primarily students, about the law. I therefore plan to become more involved and visible in the schools, seeing it as incumbent upon me to provide Jeffersonville children with a sense of accountability to the community at large, not just their teachers and/or families. That is why I intend to institute more youth-oriented community outreach programs including “Teen Talk” for Jeffersonville High School and “Lunch with the Judge” for Jeffersonville’s middle schools. In order to prevent recidivism, I believe rehabilitation is necessary. While incarceration is a well-known deterrent, it is typically only used as a last resort. The defendants in Jeffersonville City Court often times have spouses and children that would suffer if they were to be incarcerated for any period of time. Therefore, the key is to rehabilitate the individual without destroying their entire life. To do this I intend to use mandatory probationary programs that must be successfully completed before someone’s case can be finalized.”



3) What specifically distinguishes you from your opponent in this race?

“My unique contribution to this office is my background and creativity. As I described above, I have been involved in numerous programs with local students. I have also been entrusted by the local judges to act as Judge pro tempore in their courts on several occasions. Combine these experiences with my legal background and commitment to community outreach and I feel that I present a unique package to the voters. The Court’s schedule provides ample opportunity for me to be involved with school and other civic activities. By the Court becoming more involved in Jeffersonville, hopefully the community will take a greater interest in the Court and provide a heightened awareness and sense of self to the constituency. I want to use my creativity and enthusiasm to approach the young people of the community and allow them to feel that their voice is important and being heard. To sum it up, I believe that I need to work for the entire community and extend the Court’s presence to every citizen, not just the individuals that may appear before me. Once everyone starts to work together, I believe there is very little that this community will be unable to accomplish.”