Sr. High Convention

I am in Parkersburg attending my...let's see...38th Sr. High Convention in a row! God has been good to be, I've been able to attend every one since I became old enough to attend as a student. And, for seven years, I had the privilege of being an advisor to the planning team. Lots of great memories. The pastor of the church where this year's Convention is being held was one of the members of the first State Youth Committee (now called Youth Ministry Planning Team) I worked with! Wow, that makes me feel old...

Speaking of old, thanks to all who made my birthday on Wednesday a truly great day. My staff took me out for a terrific lunch and my wife kept up the tradition of making me (from scratch) a great German chocolate cake! Dinner with the family was wonderful and yes, I did get a gift or two. Lots of fun.

Tuesday was my last "regular" day of hearings. That's a little misleading, because I have domestic violence hearings every Monday through Dec. 29 except one; I have expedited hearings on December 10; I have a few clean-up proceedings on the morning of December 4; and on December 3 - forget it. I have over 40 contempt and modification matters set which will take me from early in the morning until late in the evening. But all of those are "special" or emergency-type hearings with a specific deadline under the law as opposed to the kind of regular scheduling we have always done. So when I hung up my robe on Tuesday evening about 6:00, it was kind of poignant, especially because no one else was left in the office at that point. I turned out the light and closed the door feeling like it was a point of closure - but not too sad, especially because I knew I was going to be treated nice all day the next day. Now doesn't that sound like a little kid? HA!

Some very, very interesting things happening on the job front. All I can say about that for now - again, sorry to be so mysterious. But speaking of mysterious - if I get a chance today during free time, I think I'll try to catch the new 007 movie. My son, who knows my taste well, told me he thinks I'll love it - that it's the first Bond movie where all the action makes sense, like it all really could happen the way it's portrayed.

Well, I've finished my coffee and it's time to get on the road. Oh - road, that reminds me, we are headed for Knoxville for Thanksgiving to enjoy the holiday with our oldest son and his wife in their brand new house which he designed! They are moving in this weekend and so we will celebrate the holiday and the completion of their home all together this week. Looking forward to that and hoping all of you have a blessed Thanksgiving -

Summit minutes

The regular meeting of the North Central West Virginia Regional Quarterly Judicial Summit was held at Firkin & Fox, Morgantown, on November 14, 2008. Present were regular members Judge Culpepper (host), Judge Born, Judge Fantasia, and Judge Crislip, and new members Judge Smallridge and Judge Tallman. Judge Longo was absent, having "forgotten to check her e-mail."

While there definitely was a social component to the evening and as they say "a good time was had by all," the serious business of the Summit (besides the naming of Judge Culpepper as "Consummate Jurist of the Quarter," complete with presentation of a lovely certificate suitable for framing or laminating) was the economic environment, particularly that related to the business of law and the judiciary. The importance of this obviously did not go unnoticed, for an article about this important meeting was a front-page headline in the Saturday, November 15, Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram - or at least, that story was about some summit somewhere which addressed some kind of economic issue of some sort.

Contrary to popular belief, there will be no "sunset of the summit" and the next meeting was set with Judge Fantasia to host.

Respectfully submitted,

Post-Election

Well...my Family Court friends who were opposed in the general election all have joined me in the ranks of the unemployed. A disappointing exclamation point to a tough election year for Family Court incumbents! One of our judges won the primary for Circuit Judge in May and was unopposed this week, and another Family Court Judge who was appointed to the Circuit Court bench to fill a vacancy about 1-1/2 years ago won not only in the primary but also the general. But...any sitting Family Court judge opposed in the general election lost.

I'm bummed for my friends and frankly for the folks of our State. A lot of good folks were beaten and I'm not talking about myself now. A lot of experience, a lot of dedication - ah well.

Of course, I know that many people find themselves dissatisfied with the Family Court but there are a lot of unfair criticisms. When the issues are as close to the heart as family issues, I understand, I truly do. Still, I'm disappointed for my friends and hoping the best for them.

A friend of mine - not a judge or even a lawyer - did win a County Commission race in W.Va. against a long-time incumbent! Good for him!

Election Day

Hmmm...I sure don't want this to be all about me - 'cause it's sure NOT - but let me just say this day has been a little bittersweet. A pleasant day, all in all. Very nice weather-wise, 70's and sunny, and I got to spend the day at home with our youngest. Very glad I got voting out of the way last Friday and did not need to go to the polls today.

I'm certainly very concerned about the national elections, esp. the Presidency, but on a more personal note several of my friends are in contested races around the State for Family Court, Circuit Court, and other offices. Having "been there," I'm "with them" in spirit in a way I could never have been in the same way before my own campaign experience. Since I'm still not permitted to state public support for any candidate for any position (judicial ethics) I can't identify them by name but - you know who you are! I'm with you and hoping the best!

For me, even though I still regret losing in May, the best obviously wasn't to continue full time on the bench. Still not 100% sure what I will be doing after 1/1 but another interesting option has just presented itself - we'll see. I know I can be a Senior Status judge and definitely will do that unless I find myself in a full-time position which won't permit me to do that temporary and occasional work as well. I'm very interested in continuing to work toward improvement of the judiciary and have at least two potential opportunities career-wise in that area -

Looking forward to watching the election results this evening and then to other things further into November - let's just say it's my favorite month -

Fall Back

Greetings from the finest place on Earth, Camp Cowen! Here with my youngest son's first church youth retreat. Didn't get here 'til 3:00 today, even though it started last night, due to the class I'm teaching on Saturdays at Fairmont State. It was quite warm during the afternoon and we got in a lot of four-square - one of my favorite sports. This evening it's cool. There were 3" of snow here earlier this week!

We get the extra hour of sleep tonight - going back to Standard Time. I'm going to enjoy that hour! It's just past midnight pre-fall back time and I'm going to hit the hay here shortly.

A couple of interesting developments on the job front...but as always, I can't be too detailed here for many reasons. Will keep you posted -

Election Day is Tuesday. I early-voted yesterday. Decided I didn't want to go to the polls this year - just felt better to get it done early.

Good night from Camp Cowen!