The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Colavecchio challenging Hensal in Appeals Court race
Diana Colavecchio is challenging Judge Jennifer Hensal for her spot on the Ninth District Court of Appeals in the Nov. 6 general election.
The winner of the contest will take office Feb. 9, 2019, to begin a six-year term on the court that serves Lorain, Medina, Summit and Wayne counties.
The position pays $160,500 a year beginning in 2019, according to state law.
Colavecchio, 58, of Cuyahoga Falls, responded to The Morning Journal in a questionnaire that if she is elected, she would push for the appeals court to adopt the Ohio Supreme Court’s Local Rule for limited English proficient people and seek to make the court more transparent.
“(I would) update the court’s website to include all rules, necessary information and forms in five languages — everyone in the community deserves to know the rules and how the court works,” she said.
Colavecchio said she also would review the practice of having appellate judges traveling to different jurisdictions across the state to hear cases, and is in favor of using technology to have hearings.
“Why waste time on the road and reimburse Judges for mileage when technology makes it safer to do their jobs?” she asked.
Hensal, 51, of Akron, in response to the same questionnaire, said she would continue her work “ensur(ing) fair and impartial decision making” on the court.
“Courts safeguard our freedom as Americans,” she said. “Politics should never be a consideration for any judge in determining cases.
“I believe it is a judge’s responsibility to see that the Ohio and Federal Constitution and the laws of Ohio and its political subdivisions are enforced.”
She said she also would continue promoting use of the Ninth District’s mediation office in order to resolve disputes without more litigation, as well as educating the public about the court and the judiciary branch as a whole.
“A well informed public regarding their public institutions, leads to a strong and stable community as a whole,” Hensal said.