Letter to the Voters from Presiding Judge Richard Specchio

I have considered Dave DeVore a friend for over 30 years. But this election places me in the difficult position of remaining silent in deference to a friend, or upholding my responsibilities to the Court and to the community by speaking out. After great deliberation, I have decided I have no choice but to speak to you candidly.

It is extremely uncommon for a judge to oppose the re-election of another judge. But this election, not one but two judges are taking this highly unusual step. Both Judge Bradford, Alpine County's former presiding judge for 12 years, and myself as the current presiding judge, are recommending that you cast your vote for Karen Dustman.

The Canons of Judicial Ethics recognize that judges are in a unique position to assess the qualifications of a person running for a judicial office. Judge Bradford and I have worked closely with Dave in the same courthouse with essentially the same staff on a daily basis. We have no axe to grind, but as judges we have a duty not only to support those who are qualified but also to oppose unqualified candidates.

We believe you as a voter deserve honesty. Unfortunately, Dave's materials inflate his supposed virtues and accomplishments, while attempting to conceal his significant temperament issues under the guise of "striving for excellence." Don't be misled.

Dave's lofty-sounding claims of "excellence" and "high standards" are largely a ruse designed to excuse his impatience and irritability with others. You will notice that every finger Dave points is at someone else. Dave has criticized the former judge, the court clerks, the court forms and procedures, the probation officer, and the attorneys who appear before him. He has accused our excellent and well-respected District Attorney and Public Defender in my presence of "sleep-walking."

The unfortunate truth is that Dave cannot consistently maintain a professional temperament, and this issue has come to affect the daily functioning of the court. He has been belittling and rude to clerks, court reporters, litigants and attorneys alike. He is moody and unpredictable, leading those who appear before him to speculate about "whose turn" it will be that day to suffer his wrath. He obsesses over minor details, such as making endless revisions to forms that will soon be replaced by statewide standardized versions. Litigants, lawyers, law enforcement officers and others leave the courtroom all too often feeling they have not been accorded the patience and respect to which they are entitled. Since I have been on the bench, I have talked to Dave many times about these issues. Unfortunately, he has done nothing to correct his aberrant behavior.

It is now up to the voters to step in and take corrective action. In this crucial election, Judge Bradford and I both urge your vote for Karen Dustman to restore temperament to the bench. Both of us have worked with Karen, and confirm she brings the solid experience, the training, the legal skills, and most importantly, the balanced temperament to make a fine judge.

I strongly urge you to vote for Karen Dustman!!

Judge Richard Specchio
Presiding Judge, Alpine Superior Court