Dear David,
I am writing to ask your help in spreading a message to clients,
family, friends and neighbors in Hillsborough County to vote for
Bernie Silver for Circuit Court Judge 32. I am sending this not only
because Bernie is my father. I am writing because I think he's a fair
and honest man, and by far the best person for the job.
The October 24 St. Petersburg Times’ endorsement stated: “Bernie
Silver is the better candidate even if his opponent.... had not been
removed from the bench for ethical mistakes.” I agree.
I would like to ask you to support Bernie on your blog and forward
this message to your friends and family in Hillsborough County. As
you probably know, many will not cast a vote for any judge; some will
vote based on name recognition. A great many will not have the time
or inclination to research candidates’ qualifications or suitability
for the job. Most will not contemplate or understand how the outcome
of judicial races affects people’s lives or the integrity of the system.
Bernie is endorsed by The Tampa Tribune, St. Petersburg Times,
LaGaceta and Florida Sentinel Bulletin newspapers, West Central
Florida Police Benevolent Association, West Central Florida
Federation of Labor and City of Tampa Firefighters. He received a
95% approval rating from The Hillsborough County Bar Association and
the endorsement of 20-plus former presidents of both the Hillsborough
County Bar Association and Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers.
Bernie is an ethical and experienced attorney who has been practicing
for 35 years. He enjoys the highest level Martindale-Hubbell rating,
is a board certified trial lawyer, a member of the American Board of
Trial Advocates and an Inns of Court Master. Bernie is a certified
mediator in both state and federal court since 1991 and served as
Judicial Nominating Commission Chair for the Second District Court of
Appeal. Since 1998, he has served on the board of directors and
board of trustees for The Spring, a non-profit dedicated to
preventing domestic violence and protecting its victims.
As pointed out in the Tampa Tribune's October 11 endorsement of
Bernie, his opponent is "a former county judge who was removed from
the bench by the Florida Supreme Court in 1998. The court said she
neglected her clients, concocted evidence against her former husband
during a legal proceeding in 1996 and misled judges in court." She
has no board certifications, no Martindale Hubbell rating and
received only a 13% approval rating in the Bar poll.
I ask you to please post this on your blog and forward this message
to all the Hillsborough County voters you know. I think it’s important.
This is a no-brainer election. I don't know Mr. Silver, but I do know that Betsy Hapner has a horrible reputation and I do know that she was removed from teh bench in the past. The Hillsborough County court house is still recovering from the past era of corruption and we don't need any judges from the corrupt era to run again. Ms. Hapner is lucky to have her bar licence. She should not be running for judge. True, people move on from past mistakes but a judge has to at least have the appearance of the highest level of integrity. This lady is already washed out as a judge and she should count herself lucky to be able to still represent clients.
ReplyDeleteI find it amazing that she has the gall to run. Anyone who votes for her has done NO homework. She's unethical. She's been removed from the bench and should be banned from running again.
ReplyDeleteBernie has already received the two votes in my household. I, too, wonder how his opponent has the gall to run.
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