Alachua Voter Guide

Your synopsis of October 4, 2008’s League of Women Voters Forum implied judicial candidate Lorraine Sherman’s experience was based off only her “life experience.” This synopsis was misleading and could not be further from the truth. You described her opponent as having a mountain of legal experience when in fact her record is so ambiguous and nontransparent unless voters actually go to the clerk of courts office and research her record many voters will not know the facts of Miss Ferrero’s actual record is because she has been reluctant to disclose it.

On her website, Ms. Sherman’s opponent claims to have done “numerous” trials.  On October 4th, she stated that the amount of trials she has performed as “too many to count.”  Now, maybe for a few, that explanation is one that is clear; however, many of the voters I talk to everyday believe it is unacceptable to show a lack of transparency about your record. Her trial record has been vague and exaggerated because she has not given the voters clear information about her “real” trial experience.

There is also growing concern regarding the involvement of the State Attorney’s Office and State Attorney Bill Cervone campaigning, endorsing, and working on behalf of Ms. Ferrero. Support that appears to be coming from this Circuit wide office raises a red flag!  When the State Attorney or representatives from his office endorse a judicial candidate it demonstrates impropriety and a possible interest in receiving judicial favors. Justice should be blind and a candidate receiving such endorsements may feel indebted to the State attorneys office. It is not befitting for a judge to owe political favors to anyone in order to administer justice impartially. Mr. Cervone should recuse himself from endorsing judicial candidates.

Ms. Sherman, on the other hand, is not beholden to any political offices, elites, associations, or political figure heads – and that’s the way it should be. She is the People’s Candidate in this race. Lorraine Sherman has been clear about her experience and her record in both the court room and in our community.

As a voter, I have looked at both candidates and have found that Lorraine Sherman’s record is transparent and that she has more experience to be our next county judge.  She is the most qualified candidate to be our next county judge and has courtroom experience in 37 counties throughout the State of Florida. She has learned from her travels how other courts and judges operate and will bring that experience to the bench. Her opponent’s generalizations about her trial experience are a stark contrast to Ms. Sherman’s proven record.

She has represented over 1000 people and conducted over 100 trials. Unlike her opponent Ms. Sherman has conducted many more substantive hearings.  She has worked in both criminal and civil court.  I call that REAL EXPERIENCE we can believe in.  Ms. Sherman gives voters the facts about who she is because she believes in transparency, honesty and integrity.

The facts are, Lorraine Sherman is the most qualified candidate to be our next county judge, and considering the alternative we need a candidate who best represents and serves ALL Alachua County voters. On November 4, 2008 I will be voting for Lorraine Sherman to be our next Alachua County Judge and I invite all of you to do the same.

Armando Grundy

Gainesville, Fl