Maria Granger, who is the "most qualified" for the position of Floyd County Superior Court 3.
If you do not know Maria, here is some important information that we hope will make your voting decision easier:
She is uniquely qualified to serve as Judge and will bring to our new court her experience on the bench deciding cases as an appointed Indiana Judicial Officer as well as serving the public in the courtroom fighting for the rights of children, elderly and the abused as attorney for the Floyd County Office of Family and Children and as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Floyd and Clark Counties.
Her experience reflects her commitment to our community which also includes helping individuals and small business owners protect their legal rights in her general law practice and teaching students inside the classroom as an Adjunct Professor of Business Law at Indiana University Southeast.
In 2004 she received the honor of being chosen by Chief Justice Shepard of the Indiana Supreme Court as a Hearing Officer to conduct attorney discipline hearings. Her duties include hearing all testimony and ruling on motions and evidence, making findings of fact, issuing conclusions of law and recommending terms of attorney discipline to the high court. This appointment followed a complete background investigation and is a non-partisan judicial appointment based solely upon her character, temperament, judgement and fitness for judicial office.
In 2005, she advanced from a Judge Pro Tem and was appointed to the bench being named by presiding trial court Judges Nicholas South and Roger Duvall as Referee of the Superior and Circuit Courts in Scott County in charge of conducting hearings and managing a regular caseload. She continue to serve in these judicial capacities. As a member of the American Judges Association and the Association of Women Judges, she interacts with other judicial officers and looks for new approaches to improve our system of justice.
In 2006 she was humbled with the distinction of Woman of Achievement and recognized with a listing in Who's Who among Metropolitan Executives and Professionals.
We are proud to share with you our readers that since 2005, she continues to serve with Chief Justice Shepard on the Advisory Board of Indiana CLEO, a program which assists disadvantaged college graduates to obtain a legal education and enter the legal profession. This program is close to her heart because as an aspiring law student her future as an attorney was dimmed by socio-economic and other disadvantages. Indiana CLEO gives an opportunity to talented students who are beating the odds to let their light shine and brighten their futures and the lives of those they touch through legal service.
She stays active as a member of the American, Indiana, and Floyd County Bar Associations, Business and Professional Women, Floyd County Women's Democrat Club, American Legion Auxiliary, FOP Auxiliary, Tri Kappa Sorority, NAACP, One Southern Indiana, and as a Judge for "We the People" constitutional education program for local middle and high school students.
She is a graduate of Indiana University having earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis.
She lives in New Albany with her husband Steve Mennemeyer and her son Drake attends college now. They attend church at St. Mary's. Their daughter Sarah is a nursing graduate. Their eldest son, Sgt. Steven P. Mennemeyer, courageously gave his life August 8, 2006 serving his country as a Medic in Iraq, but his strength and gentle heart lives on in their grandson Andrew.
Her work on the bench is very fulfilling and rewarding. In the courtroom, she listens carefully with patience and understanding, uses common sense to make fair decisions, and treats everyone with dignity and respect. As judge, she will stress "integrity and fairness" in our Floyd Superior Court 3. She believes we need tough penalties for deserving violent and repeat offenders. Jail overcrowding and the caseload burden will be decreased by resolving cases in a timely and efficient manner.
Her recent endevors has been setting up a Veterans Court and a special Divorce Court.
Floyd County is her home, and she wants to give her best to our community to improve and raise confidence in our court system with integrity, fairness and respect.
Aside from her distinguished public career, it is also what we know about Maria personally that prompted us to support her candidacy. She has a well deserved reputation for honesty and integrity. She is fair and impartial. These characteristics, combined with her vast experience, are what makes her the best and only qualified candidate.
Freedom Of Speech is proud to endorse Maria Granger for Judge of the Floyd Superior Court 3, again.
Your VOTE is vital to achieving this important goal for our community.
Freedom Of Speech is asking you our readers to VOTE for Maria Granger again in May and the General Election in November 4, 2014.
Your VOTE for Maria will ensure dedicated "judicial leadership" in our Superior Court 3.
"Help us get Maria Re-elected!"
