Since becoming Judge, beginning on my late Mother's Birthday on June 19, 2017, I have truly learned what it is to be blessed and to love my job. The Police who risk their lives everyday to serve our community are dedicated. I am humbled and honored to have earned the Police and Fire support of our Community. Our community has been hit by the opiod epidemic, but not any more than other communities.
At my Court, we are fighting hard to both assist those defendants who want treatment and sobriety as well as incarcerating those who do not recognize their problem, who do not take personal responsibility to get clean, or simply those who do not want help. The Police are investigating and arresting dealers and users in our city. The Police are doing a fantastic job of investigating and seeking Search Warrants to be reviewed and signed by myself as our Judge in order to arrest the dealers and violent offenders. These officers work 24/7 and so do I. When I get calls in the middle of the night to talk with Detectives and to review search warrants, I am happy to do this as I know crime does not sleep. I am invested in helping to ensure the citizens of Middletown, Trenton, Madison Township and Lemon Township are safe. I am equally invested and committed to the Constitution and the rights it affords all persons. These two goals go hand in hand as one can not be safe without the upholding of The Constitution of the United States and the State of Ohio. Our city has a He**in Response Team - made up of Fire, EMS, Police, and Social Workers - who are doing remarkable work reaching out to those who have overdosed and offering treatment. The number of overdoses in our jurisdiction is being reduced and I know it is through the hard work of Police, Fire, and the Court. Fire Chief Lolli endorses me as "best prepared to handle the opioid epidemic crisis affecting our area." Fire Chief Lolli knows my opponents and the Fire Department endorses me. I am working with the Fire Department to fight this epidemic and am invested to continue to decrease overdoses. In the first 4 weeks of my being Judge, overdoses were down. I earned the endorsement of the men and women in blue even before I became Judge because I am an experienced advocate having tried many cases and having cross examined many a police officer. FOP Lodge 36 - Middletown Police Officers vetted all of the candidates for this position, including the 2 hometown candidates who are my opponents. I am honored to also have earned the Butler County Sheriff Deputies endorsement- FOP Lodge 101. These officers have had years of watching the candidates and myself - or not seeing them at all until they decided to run for Judge Wall's seat. These officers know who is the best person to lead our city as Judge. The officers endorsed me as the next Judge of Middletown Municipal Court because I have the Judicial experience, the trial experience, the courtroom experience, the temperament and knowledge to hold this position, and I am invested in our community. These officers have seen me for years in our courtroom be a fierce but compassionate advocate. I am invested in our community and will do all that I can to ensure it thrives and the citizens and their rights are protected. I thank you for consideration and I ask for your vote on November 7, 2017 to Keep Judge Cook Howard in Middletown Municipal Court.
