MAGISTRATE CHURCH WANTS RESPECT FOR THE FISCAL COURT

During the “public comment” portion the of the Fiscal Court meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2009 Magistrate Steve Church took the opportunity to address the court from the podium. He stated that he had heard one person say that they would not allow their nine year old child to watch the court meetings on television due to the disrespect shown to members of the court. He stated that he thought that people making public comments should show more respect for the members of the court.

I wonder if the parent was also concerned with the frequent misstatements that are heard from members of the court. I specifically remember Magistrate Church demonstrating obvious frustration with criticism of the court, some of which, he thought was directed at him. He stated that he didn’t ask to be a magistrate. He also indicated that he thought the people should be glad to have him. I have been told by one person that Magistrate Church asked that person to intervene with Governor Fletcher to help him receive the appointment to the position when Paula Gish resigned. Further, Church paid the filing fee and signed up to run for the position to fill the unexpired term of Gish. I believe he even asked people for their votes. The only thing that Magistrate Church has done to indicate that he doesn’t want the job is to be absent. I have attended most of the court meetings and according to my calculations he has been absent more than all of the other members combined. But I still believe that he wanted the position.

If the members of the court want respect, they must earn it. Respect does not drop out of the sky. Perhaps Magistrate Church needs to learn to accept criticism. On the other hand, if the heat is more than he can bear, he can always quit the job that he didn’t want.

Now if Church was trying to defend Judge Murner, shame on him. I would hope that he would not condone the recent statements of the Judge regarding his willingness to go to jail rather than obey the law. If Church is condoning that, he is the only person that I have talked to who feels that way. The people to whom I have spoken felt as I do. That being, that the statements embarrassed them. However, I believe Church participated in the illegal meeting led by Judge Murner and never complained. Perhaps he does agree with the conduct of the Judge.