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JOHNSON COUNlYIMETRO JO Thunday, November 20, 1997
The Kansas City Star
e-s"i

'Hearing seeks comments on courts, and critic will be there

•..•
It's
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By TONY RIZZO

aD opportunity
not going to miss.
Sharon Lockhart is
bono", Iinc,. said Lockhart, • =tWcd 6-
oaDCiaI planDer. "Who's going to judge \be
judgc:sr &. - -
Lockhart also is cooccmed about the
way women are treated in the COW1system
Commission. They were present at the
commission"s most recent bearing, last
Thunday in \..ocomp<oo.
Commissioo member John Solbach., a
I.Awttna: Iawytz and fonDer stale legisla-
They brought with them a range 0{ coo-
oems and comments !hal BaI1Md said led
10 a fascinating evening of dtscussioD.
"No ODe Iefl early," Ilallard. a Lawr=
Democrat. said .•• It's something Ihal docs-
poinled by the Kansis Supreme Court,
Gov ..Bill.Gravcs and mcmbcrs.oLlhe
isb1ure.~
Leg~

Ballard said it was too early to cveo spec-

She is eager to address a commission
studying thl: justice sySlcm in Kansas. The
ftrst of two public hearings the commis-
sioo will bold in this ara is tonight in
IC=su City. K.=
Lockhart. co-founder of tbe JOhnSoD
County group Otizom for Good Judges,
has SJlCDImuch of !he last year =unining
Ih<coun-.
She saYs the system could stand a lot of
changes. particularly when it comes to
choosing and mainingjudges,
"Judges Deed to be more accountable,
•
ulate about wb~t recommendations the
Wbl:iiCdecisK>DSate.made-!bout child ",P- tor. said that iIi his experience. men and Dnappen <YaY day." commission might ultimately make.
potl.3ud=rilil .•••• '" womoo wen: geuca1Iy tr<atod fairly in !he In fact. it's been mOJe than 20 years since: The meeting is 7 10 9 p.m. in Room 2705
Too often, she says. men come out on court system. 1he last major overhaul in the Kansas jus- of the Nursing Building al Kansas City
lOp io dispu1cs because: Ihcy have the ec0- Bul Ihc: comments of poopIe vd>o Ihiok tice-. . Kansas Community ColJege, 7250 Stale.
nomic ~ in a relationship. otherwise are impoJ1ant to commission Thenew46-member~ isgath- A.••.
"JUS1I~.= 12.l!!2s< ~,,-can .best ..of. """"ben, he said. ering informatioD to male a report and The next area bearing will be Thursday,.
foro n,. she: said. "Sori'>etimes perceptions can affect rWi- IttOmmendatioDS 10 the Kansas Legisla- Dec. 3, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Johnson'
But while Lockhart tends to sec bias fr." he said .•. It can determiDe whelher ture before the 1999 session. O>lDJly C<ntr.l1 R<sowoe library. 9875 W
against women. plenty of others "'" ;1 dif. people 2V3iJ tbemsdves of the systtm and In Addition to the public hearings, the 87th St., OvsdaOO Park
ferently .. Vtbether or DOI1bey lrUS1the system. •• commission also will $Ul"\'e)' the state's resi- •• wmten comments may be mailed to t£
SpeaI= ailvocotjll.J:Jbe risl!lJo1.fathcn More than 90 persons ~ltended the dolts and judges, aDd it also is "'Iuestiog Kansas Justice Commission in care of the'
in d<>ni6tiC.dispulCS have.bc<n aneD<\IQg LecomptoD moctiog, said stale R.p. Bar- wnlten comments. Docking Institute, r'Ort Hays State UDiva-'
prnious.be&riDgs <If-tbe:K.ansas.J~ bora Ilallard. chairwomao of Ihc: event. Members of the commission were ap- sity, 600 Pari: St., Hay~ Kao 67601.