Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - 347th judge candidates cite experience, service

Marketplace \| Services \| Contact Us \| Community \| Arts & Entertainment \| Local Guides

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Sunday, October 22, 2000

347th judge candidates cite experience, service
Medary, Ramos seeking Joaquin Villarreal's post
By Jason Ma
Caller-Times
Candidates for the judgeship in the 347th District Court point to their experience and community service as reasons they should be elected.
   Republican Missy Medary touts her trial experience as an assistant district attorney and the work she has done for crime victims and their families.
   Democrat Nelva Gonzales Ramos says she has extensive experience in civil law as a private attorney, handling cases from medical malpractice to industrial accidents.

347th District Court
Missy Medary, Republican
Age: 37
Occupation: Nueces County assistant district attorney
Education: California Western School of Law (San Diego, Calif.) 1989
Home: Corpus Christi
Family: Married, Tom; son, John, 7; daughter, Katie, 3
Nelva Gonzales Ramos, Democrat
Age: 35
Occupation: private practice attorney
Education: University of Texas Law School, 1991
Home: Corpus Christi
Family: Married, Oscar; no children

   Incumbent Judge Joaquin Villarreal III is retiring from the office.
   In 1999, Medary received an award from the Coalition for Crime Victims Rights, which she cites as one her proudest achievements.
   "It tells me I'm doing my job well," she said. "These are the people I represent every day."
   She also points to the successful prosecution of Jeffrey Orr, who received 500 years in prison for aggravated sexual assault of a child in 1998, and her 100 percent conviction rate in 12 murder trials.
   As an attorney, Ramos said she has extensive experience representing both individuals and businesses in district court.
   She also served as a municipal judge in Corpus Christi from 1997 to 1999, where she said she helped troubled youth during truancy hearings.
   "I worked to keep them from dropping out, and stressed the importance of education," she said.

Today's early voting sites
Nueces County Courthouse, 901 Leopard, Noon to 5 p.m. Johnny S. Calderon County Building, 710 E. Main, Robstown, noon to 5 p.m. Bishop County Building, 115 S. Ash, Bishop, noon to 5 p.m. Port Aransas City Hall, 710 W. Avenue A, Port Aransas, noon to 5 p.m. Flour Bluff County Building, 10110 Compton, noon to 5 p.m. Corpus Christi Area Council for the Deaf, 5151 McArdle Road, noon to 5 p.m. Greenwood Senior Center, 4040 Greenwood Drive, noon to 5 p.m. Hilltop Community Center-Annaville, 11425 Leopard St., noon to 5 p.m. Molina Neighborhood Center of Corpus Christi, 614 Horne Road, noon to 5 p.m. Corpus Christi City Hall, 1201 Leopard, noon to 5 p.m. Del Mar College - East Campus, Ayers and Baldwin, noon to 5 p.m. Albertson's, 4818 South Padre Island Drive, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mercado Las Palmas, 4977 Ayers Street, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. H.E.B. No.4, 4737 Saratoga, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sutherlands, 4041 South Staples, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. David Berlanga Sr. Community Center, Noon to 5 p.m.

   The candidates also point to their community service.
   Medary was a founding board member of the First Book Club, an organization that encourages people to read.
   She was a coordinator for the Toys for Tots program and was appointed to the board of directors for the city's Commission on Children and Youth.
   "In order to be a good judge, you have to have experience as an attorney and knowledge of the community," she said.
   Ramos was a mentor to adolescent girls and serves as a board member for the National Conference for Community and Justice, an organization devoted to fighting racism and bigotry.
   "I have been active in the community and learned what issues are important," she said.
   Ramos has raised more than $124,000 for her campaign. Medary has raised $49,312.
   The seat is a four-year term with an annual salary of $111,000.



Staff writer Jason Ma can be reached at 886-3778 or by e-mail at maj@caller.com

| Talk about this story | Next Story | Home |

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

[ Printer-friendly version ]
[ Subscribe to newspaper ]

SEND THIS PAGE TO A FRIEND

[an error occurred while processing this directive]