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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend May 22, 2005 Since WE Asked: Justice King and the County Commissioners The saga of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners’ attempts to remove Justice of the Peace Robert King for a marijuana offense is still unresolved. The board, particularly Commissioner David Gilmour, wants King to resign, or be subject to a recall election. Citizens of Gold Hill, where King lives, have meanwhile mounted a spirited defense of the justice, while telling the board to leave the matter alone. Your answers on the matter ranged the gamut of emotions, showing how sticky the issue has become. After reading through them, please take a moment to travel from Gold Hill to a galaxy far, far away for this week’s question: In the meantime, we asked: Should the Jackson County Board of Commissioners continue efforts to have Justice of the Peace Robert King resign or be recalled? Advertisement Why not put it to a vote of the people and let the chips fall (where) they may! — Helen B., Shady Cove Unless you want to recall every elected official who has ever been found guilty (or pleaded out) of ANY crime, then leave the judge alone. His personal choice is just that — personal — and only temporarily illegal (not even that if he has a medical condition that warrants his use of marijuana as medicine). It is unfortunate that there is no reliable test for Ideologues, Fundamentalist Christians, or "Good Old Boys" as they are far more dangerous on the bench than a judge who uses marijuana. — Jayson J., Cyberspace Our Country (sic) Commissioners have more important and costly issues to deal with than a small town judge that has met the duties of his position. — Bev C., Central Point FIRED WITH NO PAY. I'M TIRED OF CORRUPTION IN THIS VALLEY. HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SETTING AN EXAMPLE. SET AN EXAMPLE FOR FUTURE OFFENDERS!! — DEBORAH, MEDFORD No recall for Judge King. — Marc A., Cyberspace Jackson County commissioners should negotiate a compromise with Bob King and leave Gold Hill’s 718 voters alone. Judge King was elected from a pool of 23,000 voters. — Gus W., Gold Hill Justice King is folk hero for the local drug-meth culture. Move on, negotiate settlement and take funds allocated to Gold Hill public services for payment. — Dave L., Central Point No! He should not lose his job because he made a little mistake. He did his diversion. Are you telling us that Jackson County diversion classes don't work? If this is so, then a lot of people in this county will never really be in recovery, and our unemployment rate is going to get very high. He is great judge and a very nice man. Leave him alone. — Dawn, Cyberspace I think that the county commissioners need to back off. I feel they are railroading him into resigning. And no he should not resign or be recalled. I think this has become a personal vendetta with Gilmour. And believe me I won’t vote for Gilmour if he chooses to run again. But, on the other hand I would vote for Justice King. He made a mistake and with the person he was purchasing from, it sounds like wearing a wire-tap is entrapment. Oh, and I have never used any illegal drugs. So, you are getting an unbiased opinion. And I am against legalizing marijuana. — Becky, Eagle Point NO! — Karen W., Medford No! He did nothing seriously against the law. Also, the setup person should have all charges against her dropped, AND get her job rightfully returned to her. — Wil S., Gold Hill Before I would ask the judge to resign I would ask how many judges, mayors, and other city and county officials have the police let off of DUIs? It is standard operating procedure to help judges and the like to get home when they are pulled over for drunk driving. If the judge was under the influence when he was stopped he should resign because he was endangering the public and showing lack of common sense. If his "crime" was just possession then he should pay the fine and it should not be given any more credence than if he was illegally parked. — Rachel R., Portland No. There are many more important issues to address for our county, like the rampant growth. — Bill J., Medford No! — Yvonne K., Medford No. ... King, I like him. He’s not going "out" without a fight. — Signe W., Medford Absolutely! If we allow an elected official (to) maintain his position and continue to collect salary and benefits following possession of an ILLEGAL substance then we are ultimately telling our children that it’s OK to do drugs. Marijuana is a drug, it is illegal, yet our Justice of the Peace is permitted to use it and possess it...and we aren’t? Isn’t that a double standard? So instead of random drug testing in the schools, how about in our courtrooms? Also, I read that it would cost us $200,000 (give or take) in salary and benefits if he remains. I'd rather spend $25,000 than over $200,000! — R.F., White City NO. Unless we recall all three commissioners and Sheriff Winters too. Let’s spend all the taxpayer money frivolously. Move the Court back to Gold Hill. — John H., Central Point Absolutely not, unless the Commissioners/Jackson County officials are stupid enough to make it even more abundantly clear to the general public that they are now and have been by their words and actions guilty of harassment and racketeering! — Kathy K., Cyberspace This Week’s Question "Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith" has not only broken existing box office records for a first weekend, but has got political commentators rattling their lightsabers as well. Some believe that the "dark side" as depicted by filmmaker George Lucas is a slap at the policies of the Bush administration. Others think that those who are offended are trying to make something out of nothing. We haven’t seen a "Star Wars" movie in almost 20 years, so we don’t have an opinion on this. That’s why we have you kind folks. We ask: Do you believe that movies, such as the latest "Star Wars" film, contain hidden commentary on current issues and politicians? Please keep your answers brief and on the issue at hand. Responses received without your name and town can not be considered for publication. All responses will appear on the Web site a week from today. You may submit your answer by using the form here on the Web site, or you may respond directly to [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. 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