PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

No on Mulligan, No on Baer this Tuesday
by John Cihon Monday, May. 19, 2003 at 2:57 PM
johncihon@yahoo.com 412-232-0938

Judicial election coverage in Pittsburgh

It is and remains a fact that Pennsylvania has the lowest number of fathers who have primary custody of children in all fifty states. It is and remains a fact that less than 10% of fathers in Pennsylvania who petition for more than every other weekend with their children get it. It is a fact that Pennsylvania's custody laws call for far more liberal visitation than courts normally award.

The family court is currently excusing judges who are running for election from having to hear cases involving minors requesting abortions. The judges are excused from this because this is a highly politically charged issue, and an unpopular stance might affect their reelection chances. One result of this is we have no way to know any particular family division judge's feelings on abortion, and Pennsylvania is a state that is fairly restrictive towards the procedure already. This practice exists because the judges currently in office consent to it and adjusts their schedules and caseloads to make this possible. Any of the seven family division judges in Allegheny county right now has the choice to refuse to participate in this system, and it would fall apart. This is another reason to shake up the family court system.

If you believe that this is justice, then by all means, support Kathleen Mulligan for retention. If you believe that over 90% of seperated fathers in this state don't deserve to see their children more than four days a month, then vote to retain Kathleen Mulligan. If you believe that judicially sanctioned sexism is wrong, no matter what the circumstances, then please vote 'No' on retention of Kathleen Mulligan this Tuesday.

Allegheny County Family Division and Juvenile Court Administrative Judge Max Baer was removed of his position by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court effective April 16, 1999. The last straw for Judge Baer came from an appeal to the Superior Court of one of his decisions. In this case, Judge Baer awarded custody of a six year old girl to her foster father. This same foster father had served time in prison for incest when he had gotten his own daughter pregnant. Judge Baer, apparently, ignored the record and gave custody of this little girl to this convicted child molester. The rest is now history. Please vote against Max Baer this Tuesday.

For questions, please contact John Cihon at 412-232-0938, or e-mail johncihon@yahoo.com

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