The Sitting Baltimore County Circuit Court Judges, the BLAST team, composed of Judge Vicki Ballou-Watts (B), Judge Dana Levitz (L), Judge Susan Souder (S) and Administrative Judge John Grason Turnbull II (T) are faced with a contested election in the March 2, 2004 primary election.

Previously in this column my predecessors have reviewed and discussed the existing system of contested elections and the sitting judge principle.

The BLAST team are all veterans of the merit selection process. Each has been interviewed by the lay and lawyer members of the Judicial Nominating Commission. They have been questioned about their fitness to serve, opinions and ideas, experience and willingness to endure months of late nights and weekends on the campaign trail.

Numerous bar groups either have or have had an opportunity to conduct interviews and to submit comments about each of the BLAST members suitability to become a Circuit Court Judge. All of the Commission interviews are preceded by extensive background checks, including interviews of opposing counsel.

This rigorous selection process assures that the highest standards of legal competence and experience, character, and judicial temperament are met.

Your Executive Council, in consideration of the above, support the BLAST team of Judge Ballou-Watts, Judge Levitz, Judge Souder and Judge Turnbull and ask you to vote on March 2, 2004.

I also wish to remind you to attend our Stated Meeting on Thursday, February 19, 2004 in order to cast your vote on the important BCBA Constitution and Bylaw Amendments reviewed in last months Advocate.