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Judicial candidate asks for community's input

February 07, 2007|Emily Salmon

Wes Browne of Richmond wants the community's input on his race for a new district judgeship that will serve the 25th Judicial District.

A graduate of Albion College in Albion, Mich., Browne decided to attend law school at the University of Kentucky.

He started as a district court prosecutor in Berea, learning from the judges there, including current District Judge William G. Clouse.

"I still use a lot of lessons I learned from them today," he said.

In 2000, he opened a solo practice, Browne Law Office, in Richmond. It's a general practice that handles a little bit of everything. However, he does a lot of consumer protection, harassment, assault and sexual assault cases, he said. He also does pro bono work in district court for people with disabilities.

He filed for the district judge's position because, he said, the 25th District is one of the best judicial districts in the state.

"I'd like to do my part to ensure it continues," he said.

As part of that, Browne is inviting the community to take part in his campaign and to let him know what it wants in a district judge.

He's heard that people don't want jail inmates "smoking and watching TV," he said, so he would advocate programs that would have them cleaning up trash in the community.

The implementation of a business theft prevention program, where business owners are "provided with access to the information they need," is also part of his plan.

"Theft from local businesses costs us all money," he said. "When businesses are stolen from, prices go up."

He wants to post the names and photos of repeat shoplifters and bad check writers on a Web site to assist local businesses in identifying them.

His wife, Valetta, is also an attorney, and the two of them are "committed to public service," he said.

"People flock to our community because it is such a great place to live," he said. "Our schools, local government and court system are among the best in Kentucky, and that is what makes our home so special," he said. "I don't think you can serve the community if you don't know what the community wants," he said.

The Brownes have two sons, Barrett and Grady.

According to the Web site for Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson, seven people have filed for the Division 3 district judge seat: David G. Perdue and Elizabeth Elkins Bond of Winchester, and Earl Ray Neal, Jud Patterson, Thomas J. Smith III, Wes Browne and John Faris Lackey, all of Richmond. The Sun will publish profiles of each candidate.

INFO BOX

For more information or to contact Wes Browne, visit www.brownejudge.com.

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