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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-19 In Opposition to the 2006 Ballot Issue known as the "Term Limits for Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Judges"RESOLUTION NO. 19 Series 2006 A RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO THE 2006 BALLOT ISSUE KNOWN AS `TERM LIMITS FOR SUPREME COURT AND COURT OF APPEALS JUDGES," AMENDMENT 40 TO THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION, THAT WOULD POLITICIZE THE APPELLATE COURTS AND ADVERSELY IMPACT THE JUDICIAL PROCESS WHEREAS, an initiated constitutional amendment, Amendment 40 to the Colorado Constitution, has been certified for consideration by the voters of the state of Colorado at the regular election to be held on November 7, 2006; and WHEREAS, Amendment 40 would cause all appellate court judges to be up for reelection at the general election in 2007 but only if those judges have not then served ten years in office; and WHEREAS, the effect of Amendment 40 would be to remove from office next year five supreme court justices and seven court of appeals judges; and WHEREAS, the effect of Amendment 40 would be to limit the independence of the judiciary and to politicize their appointment by placing a limit of ten years on the service of any appellate judge, thereby empowering the governor with the appointment of a majority of the appellate judges after each general election; and WHEREAS, the further effect of Amendment 40 would be to deprive this state of the wisdom and experience of our sitting appellate judges and substitute on-the-job training after each appointment; and WHEREAS, the further effect of Amendment 40 would be to discourage the most qualified trial judges and attorneys from applying for appointment to the appellate bench; and WHEREAS, the further effect of Amendment 40 would be to cause newcomers to the appellate courts to be reviewing the decisions of seasoned trial judges, for whom no term limits are proposed; and WHEREAS, no other state has placed term limits on the judiciary; and WHEREAS, the best interests of the Town of Vail and its citizens will not be served by the attack on the independence and competence of the judiciary contained in Amendment 40. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF VAIL, COLORADO as follows: 1. The Council opposes term limits for appellate judges and Amendment 40 on the ballot for the November 7, 2006, general election. INTRODUCED, READ, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 17th day of October, 2006. ATTE Lgrelei,, onaldson, 's`own Clerk j~,.. E ( lifer ~'Rodney S , nJ N ~ or of the Town of Vail, Colorado L 9 w~1 Resolution No. 19, Series 2006