This open circuit court race has drawn three qualified challengers for your vote. Analyzing their varied backgrounds, the most qualified and diverse is David C. Miller.

Miller was born and raised in Miami, married his high school sweetheart Marilyn Shoultes while attending the University of Florida. He had a varied work background before attending Nova Law School. He stood out at Nova, receiving academic honors and participating in Moot Court, the Law Review and sitting as the chief justice of the school's honor court. Miller has been practicing law for 22 years in Miami Dade County and has an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the rating service's highest mark. As a member of the Florida Bar since l979, his experience as a partner with Stephens, Lynn, Klein and McNicholas, P.A., for l8 years will provide us with a highly qualified attorney to serve in this open seat for circuit court judge.

In GROUP 8, Community Newspapers recommends David C. Miller for circuit court judge.

GROUP 2 - Mindy S. Glazer, Martin D. Kahn

There is no question where our support lies in this race. Judge Kahn has served us for 13 years on the Miami-Dade County Circuit Court. He graduated the University of Miami law school in l960, served as North Miami city attorney for seven years, was a trial lawyer for 27 years, is a former Dade County high school teacher and a former U.S. Marine captain.

Judge Kahn regularly rates among the highest judges in the Dade County Bar polls, as high as 90 percent, and usually is termed either qualified or highly qualified. His opponent, who was a candidate two years ago against Judge Leo Adderly, ran with more than a 50 percent negative rating in the bar poll.

This is not an open seat, but there is perhaps no race in Miami-Dade County where voters will have an easier choice to make than this one. Judge Kahn has earned our vote, he's earned our support and our respect.

In GROUP 2, COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS urges you to re-elect Judge Martin D. Kahn circuit court judge.

Group 25 - Peter Adrien, Gina Mendez, Dennis Murphy, Martin Zilber

This open seat has attracted an unusually high number of office seekers, ranging from candidates with little or no experience to those who are highly experienced. Gina Mendez, a former prosecutor, and Dennis Murphy both have experience as attorneys. On the other hand, Peter Adrien barely has sufficient experience to qualify statutorily as a candidate for judge.

However, after careful analysis, the consensus of COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS is to recommend that Martin Zilber be elected. Zilber has lived in Florida all his life. After obtaining his Bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Florida, he went on to the University of Miami Law School. His has been an assistant in the office of the Miami-Dade State Attorney, general counsel for Metro Transportation, vice-president in charge of acquisitions for the southeast region of Coach USA and a partner in the law firm at Stolzeberg, Gelles, and Zilber, P.A.

Zilber has demonstrated his commitment to this community far beyond his professional life. He was a member of the Criminal Justice Reform Council and Senatorial Weed and Seed Crime Commission, as well as vice chair of the Dade County Cultural Affairs Council. Participation in these types of activities brings an important dimension to public service.

In the GROUP 25 open Circuit Court race, COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS is proud to recommend Martin Zilber for Circuit Court Judge.

GROUP 56 - Maria Espinosa Dennis, Larry Schatzman

Rarely has anyone worked so hard, been so qualified and deserved to be a circuit court judge as much as Larry Schatzman. This is another easy decision for the voters of Miami Dade County. Schatzman, a native Miamian, has been practicing law in Miami Dade County for more than a quarter of a century. He served as a judicial research assistant, special assistant attorney general, volunteer public defender, Miami-Dade County hearing officer and is an AV rated attorney by Martindale-Hubell.

Schatzman's community and civic involvement is broad. He is chairperson of the Florida Bar grievance committee, serves on the civil litigation committee and professionalism committees of the Dade County Bar Association, serves on the board of directors of the Alternative Project, Biscayne Bay Kiwanis and the Downtown Bay Forum. He is president of the Transplant Foundation, a volunteer in the Guardian Ad Litem Program, a judge for the University of Miami Moot Court competition, a judge for high school debate competition, a frequent speaker in Dade County Public Schools, a lecturer for the University of Miami and St. Thomas University Law Schools. In l999 the Miami Dade County Bar Association gave him special recognition with the Pro-Bono Service Award. In both l998 and l999 the South Miami-Kendall Bar Association gave him the Pro Bono Service Highest Recognition Award.

On September 5, Miami Dade voters have a clear choice to elect Larry Schatzman Circuit Court Judge in GROUP 56.

COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS congratulates those judges who will be re-elected without opposition. They are Cindy Lederman, Lester Langer, Joel Brown, Ellen Leesfield, Maynard "Skip" Gross, Alex Ferrer, Marilyn Milian, Sidney Shapiro, Maxine Cohen Lando, Victoria Platzer, Arthur Rothenberg, Larry Schwartz, Michael Chavies, Maria Korvick, Pedro Echarte and Gisela Cardonne. Congratulations also to County Court Judge David Young on his unopposed elevation to the circuit court.

MIAMI DADE COUNTY COURT JUDICIAL RACES

GROUP 2 - Mary Jo Francis, Lazaro Lopez

The public would be well served in the "people's court" by either candidate. Both have the experience, temperament and skills needed to serve in Miami-Dade County Court.

The nod on experience leads us to recommend Francis. As a directing attorney for Legal Services of Greater Miami, Francis handled cases for people who otherwise would not have been able to afford an attorney. For the past l8 years, she has continued that service in the office of the Miami Dade County Public Defender. As an Assistant Public Defender she has handled hundreds of cases and served as director of training for the office's Juvenile Division. She has practiced extensively in both the state and federal courts, helping people with both civil and criminal problems.

Francis is a graduate of the University of Miami and went on to take her professional degree from the UM Law School. She is an A-V rated Martindale-Hubbell attorney and has extensive community involvement and service.

In GROUP 2, we recommend Mary Jo Francis for election to the Miami Dade County Court.

GROUP 4 - James C. Best, Ivan Hernandez, Reginald Richardson

The incumbent in this race is Judge Reginald Richardson. Judge Richardson will appear before the Florida Supreme Court in October, after the September 5 primary, for a verbal reprimand for abuse of the powers of his office. He was acquitted of soliciting an undercover prostitute in l998, but will be reprimanded for violating the Code of Judicial Conduct by identifying himself as a judge to the arresting officers and telling them he was "pro police."

Fortunately for the public, two attorneys -- James C. Best, a former county public defender now in private practice, and Ivan Hernandez, who spent l0 years as a traffic magistrate in county court -- have qualified to run against Richardson.

Best originally filed to run for this position largely because of Judge Richardson's arrest and subsequent Judicial Qualifications Commission recommendation for a Supreme Court reprimand. Ivan Hernandez entered the race when there was question about another seat and whether it would be appointed or elected. He never moved again.

While both are qualified, we feel that Best, holds the stronger credentials and should be elected to replace Judge Richardson.

We constantly talk about integrity and the judiciary ­ and all elected offices, for that matter -- and here is an opportunity to send a message that we will not tolerate inappropriate behavior. You have the chance to exercise your right to reprimand BEFORE the Supreme Court acts. Send the message that behavior unbecoming the judiciary and the elected office it represents simply will not be accepted by the electorate.

In GROUP 4 race for County Court Judge, COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS urges you to elect JAMES C. BEST to restore integrity and honor to this seat.

Group 6 - Adriana Quirantes, Luise Krieger Martin

No one loses in this race. both Adriana Quirantes and Luise Krieger Martin have the qualifications to serve.

Adriana Quirantes has worked at A.H. Quirantes & Associates, P.A., the State Attorney's office, the Public Defender's office and worked as a judicial law clerk for Judge Kathleen Kearney in the l7th Judicial Circuit. She is Gov. Jeb Bush's appointee as Secretary to the Division of Children and Family Services.

Krieger has worked in the office of the Public Defender since l987 and for her father's law office from l984-87. She worked as a trial attorney in the major crimes division and as supervising attorney in the felony division.

In the GROUP 6 race for County Court Judge, COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS has no recommendation and believes that the courts and the people will be well served by either candidate.

GROUP 9 - Judge Nancy Pollock versus Martin Shapiro

The incumbent in this race is Judge Nancy Pollock. Her opponent, Martin Shapiro, has served as a Miami Beach councilman before running unsuccessfully against Mayor Neisan Kasdin.

There's simply no reason not to re-elect Judge Pollock.

She has been a county judge since l988, trying thousands of cases in both the criminal and civil divisions. She recently organized and moderated a panel of prominent Miami-Dade attorneys as they publicly discussed the issue of whether judges should be appointed or elected.

A 40-year resident of Florida, Judge Pollock worked as a Realtor before attending and graduating Barry University and Nova University School of Law. She serves on the advisory board of the Salvation Army and is the past president of the Zonta-Club of Miami Lakes. She is a past first vice president of the North Dade Bar Association.

The Florida Conference of County Court Judges recently elected Judge Pollock to her third consecutive term as secretary of the statewide association. She has served as an officer of the group since l998 and her new term continues until 200l. The conference directs the required continuing education activities for all of Florida's county judges.

In GROUP 9, COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS strongly recommends the re-election of County Court JUDGE NANCY POLLOCK.

GROUP l0 - David Alschuler versus Ana Maria Pando

Both candidates in this race are qualified. But, when it comes to community service and dedication to this community there are few candidates who can compare to David Alschuler.

Alschuler graduated the University of Florida College of Law in l985. He has served as co-chair of the Miami Beach Nuisance Abatement Board, a quasi-judicial body. He worked as an assistant state attorney in Miami Dade County, trying more than 40 jury cases and l00 bench trials. Talk about hardcore experience, and for the county court!

He is a pro-bono attorney for the Dade County Bar's "Put Something Back" program and a volunteer judge for the University of Miami Law School Moot Court competition.

He is a director of the George Washington Carver YMCA, the American Heart Association Miami Dade Division, the Miami Beach Police Athletic League and the Normandy Shores Homeowners Association. He is former chairperson of the City of Miami Beach Police-Public Safety Committee, former vice chairperson of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Committee, past vice president of the Miami Beach Jaycees, a graduate of the Greater Miami Chamber's Leadership Miami program and a graduate of the Miami Beach Police Department Citizens' Police Academy.

In short, he's worked hard and deserves your vote.

In the GROUP 10 race for County Court Judge, COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS recommends DAVID ALSCHULER.

GROUP 11 - Karen Mills Francis, Judge Harvey Goldstein

Just as in the case of Judge Nancy Pollock, there simply is n reason not to re-elect Judge Harvey Goldstein.

It is important that we keep hardworking and competent judges on the bench. Judge Goldstein is considered "one of the quiet heroes" of the Dade County Courthouse. Lawyers say he makes sure that litigants and attorneys have easy and quick access to court. In fact, he allows telephonic hearings that reduce trips to the courthouse.

As a husband, father of three, Vietnam vet, former prosecutor and respected County Court Judge, his life experiences make him the candidate for re-election that he is. His reputation is for sound judgment. His rating in the Dade County Bar Association judicial qualification poll is always near the top. His longevity on the bench is warranted and his continued service is very important to us. This is a simple election choice.

In GROUP 11 race for County Court Judge, COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS urges you to re-elect JUDGE HARVEY GOLDSTEIN.

COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS joins the community in congratulating those county court judges who will be re-elected without opposition. They are Judge Shelley J. Kravitz, Judge Sam Slom, Judge Larry King, Judge Bonnie Lano Rippingille, Judge Bertila Soto, Judge Mark King Leban, Judge Teretha Lundy Thomas, Judge Caryn Schwartz, Judge Roger Silver, Judge Myriam Lehr, Judge Catherine Pooler, Judge Sheldon Schwartz, Judge Linda Singer Stein, Judge Andy Hague, Judge Deborah White-Labora, Judge Daryl Trawick, Judge Mike Samuels and Judge Steve Leifman.