Justice of peace candidates tout their fixes for office
3 running for Place 1 JP
By Carl Kieke
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Candidates for Taylor County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 1 voiced their ideas for improvements in the office while speaking Wednesday at the Abilene Country Club.
Lydia Long and John Cummins spoke during a noon meeting of the Abilene Association of Independent Business Owners. A third candidate, Mike McAuliffe, was unable to attend, but Nick Coates of his campaign staff spoke on his behalf.
Long stressed the need for improving the efficiency of the office by upgrading technology. Forms aren't available online, and fines or other fees cannot be paid via the Internet. Long would like to see both made available to the public, saying it would reduce time-consuming tasks and make office staff more efficient.
She estimated that more automated equipment would allow office workers to process three times as many operations, thus increasing efficiency.
She also would like to see night court sessions at least once a month.
Cummins and Coates, representing McAuliffe, said the candidates' experience with law enforcement has prepared them to serve as Justice of the Peace. Cummins cited long service with the Taylor County Sheriff's Office, while McAuliffe has been with the Abilene Police Department for 30 years, much of that time spent as a resource officer at Abilene High School.
"He knows the criminal and civil sides backwards and forwards," Coates said of McAuliffe. "Mike is a specialist in truancy, and his expertise in that area is very much needed."
Members of the audience posed questions concerning how court processes could be streamlined, so plaintiffs don't have to research the financial backgrounds of those who owe them money. Cummins stated that law enforcement doesn't get involved in such cases until receiving orders from the court — and that they could then do such investigations.
Cummins and Long addressed questions regarding eviction laws, how the office is funded and where funds for the proposed technology upgrades could come from. A plaintiff can submit specific questions regarding finances that the defendant must address, he said.
Bryan Smith, current Place 1 JP, has chosen not to run for re-election. The candidate selected will serve a four-year term, with an annual salary of $34,000.