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From The Bench

July 2014

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There are few professions in which you can make real changes in someone’s life. Working in community corrections means you care about others, your community, and the well-being of your clients’ families.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court took part in this year’s Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week July 13-18. It’s a time to recognize and celebrate the dedicated and caring inviduals in our community who work tirelessly to make neighborhoods safer and more vibrant. These professionals are on duty each and every day to assist juvenile and adult

offenders in becoming better citizens who lead productive lives.

Our probation officers are proud of what they accomplish and what promises the future holds for their careers and probationers.

In celebration of the Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court hosted a luncheon on Friday, July 18, in the 4th floor Jury Room. More pictures on page 5!

August Birthdays Page #6

Dress Down Fridays! Page #4

Probation Officers Recognized

FROM THE BENCH | Issue # 6 2

It’s no secret that Cleveland is a food truck town, and Memorial Mondays have continued to be a popular draw on the weekly schedule. But how does it work? Memorial Mondays were created with the cooperation of the Downtown Cleveland Alliance, which organizes Walnut Wednesday, Free Stamp Friday, and other food truck events. It’s the DCA which schedules the trucks. Each truck pays a small fee back to the DCA and those funds are used for event setup and cleanup.

One thing Memorial Mondays has done is to showcase Ft. Huntington Park! More events are being considered for the underused green space in the future, including possible Browns-sanctioned tailgate parties and art shows.

Memorial Mondays will continue through the end of September and we hope to feature more live music! Court Reporter Jerry Abbadini played for us on July 14 (upper left) and will be back August 25!

Memorial Mondays Continue To Draw Crowds!

FROM THE BENCH | Issue # 6 3

If you work in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and you don’t know Margaret Mazzeo, you haven’t been trying hard enough.

Margaret will be celebrating her 40th anniversary with the Court this fall and has enough great stories to fill a book, even though she won’t tell all of them.

In recognition of her service and friendship to the Court, Margaret will be presented with the 2014 Public Servant of the Year Award at the 68th Annual Franklin A. Polk Public Servants Merit Awards Luncheon sponsored by the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association on September 12.

Margaret admits she was a bit reluctant to accept the honor since she’s turned it down when other Judges have offered in the past. But she says Administrative Judge John J. Russo was quite adamant when he told her about the nomination.

Margaret now works with Judge David Matia’s Drug Court.

By most people’s recollection, it’s been about a decade since the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court had its own golf outing. That will change on September 19 at the Bob-O-Link Golf Course in Avon Lake. Suggested by Administrative Judge John J. Russo, the scramble-format outing has been arranged by Bruce Bishilany, head of the Court Reporter’s Department. “It’s another chance for Court workers to gather together outside the office and get to know each other better,” says Bishilany. The cost is $65 per golfer and includes a boxed lunch and steak dinner. If you only want to attend the dinner (around 3:00PM), the cost is $25. Foursomes are filling up fast! To make your reservation, email Bruce at: CPBJB@cuyahogacounty.us

(Municipal Court Magistrate Pablo Castro, Judge José Villanueva and José Feliciano of Baker Hostetler)

Judge José Villanueva was honored July 24th by the Ohio Hispanic Bar Association at the organization’s first luncheon at the City Club of Cleveland.

Judge Villanueva was given the Leadership and Community Service Award for his years of activity in the Hispanic community.

Judge Villanueva was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1979 and elected Common Pleas Court Judge in 1988. In 1985, Judge Villanueva was the first Hispanic member of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.

Judge Villanueva thanked his colleagues on the bench, especially those who’ve worked with the Mental Health Court. He also distilled life into “two simple elements: hard work and lucky breaks.”

“I am proud to be part of Cleveland’s outstanding legal community,” Judge Villanueva added.

Margaret Mazzeo To Get Public Servant Award

Justice Fore All Golf Outing September 19!

Judge Villanueva Honored @ City Club

FROM THE BENCH | Issue # 6 4

A number of people have asked if the animals brought to Court for the Animal Protective League’s Justice Fur All campaign have been adopted. The answer is a resounding, “Yes!”

The APL is thrilled with the response to the visits and plans to continue the every-other-week stops as long as the weather holds up.

At the July 10 visit, four pets were adopted on-site; three on July 31. Remember the two puppies that were here at the end of June? They and their four litter mates were all adopted by 4:00PM that afternoon!

And even better, the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter is now bringing some of their dogs as well! The goal is to find as many homes as possible for these deserving pets.

(Ingenia, a stray cocker-spaniel, was adopted by her forever family the day of her visit to Justice Fur All July 10! Photo courtesy of the Cleveland APL)

(Lt. Brian Bentley, President of FOP Lodge # 8, Judge Pamela Barker, Judge Deborah Nicastro of Garfield Heights Municipal Cour.t)

On July 15th, Judge Pamela Barker was the guest speaker for the Silver & Gold Awards. The mission of Silver & Gold, Inc. is to foster support & goodwill for Northeast Ohio Safety Forces in the communities in which they serve.

Awards were presented to police officers and firefighters for outstanding service, and college scholarships to children of safety forces members.

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Administrative Judge John J. Russo is implementing a new FUNdraising opportunity for all staff.

Starting now and continuing through the end of the year, we can enjoy a casual dress down day on all Fridays for a fee of $2.00 for each day you participate.

We’ll be helping to support local charities as well as prepare for the Court Holiday Party in December (remember to mark your calendar: Friday, December 12th!).

Look for future e-mails for special dress down days to celebrate our local sports teams and other community events highlighting happenings in Cuyahoga County.

As always, Dress Down guidelines must be followed. Anyone dressing in attire deemed as inappropriate will be required to change using their own time.

If you have a Court appearance or hearing on a Dress Down Friday you will be required to dress appropriately.

APL Visits Continue To Provide Forever Homes

Judge Barker Attends Silver & Gold Awards

Dress Down Fridays Are Underway!

Producers Taylor Trimarchi and Kelley Hynds prepare to interview Judge Nancy Fuerst July 30 for the new Jury Orientation Video “Called To Serve”. Look for a late August premiere!

FROM THE BENCH | Issue # 6 5

Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week Luncheon Pics!

FROM THE BENCH | Issue # 6 6

Judges

Michael Donnelly

Lance Mason

Brendan Sheehan

Joan Synenberg

Arbitration

Emily Honsa Hicks

Mary Jo Shannon

Central Scheduling

Ann McKenzie

Court Reporters

Richard Hamski

Jeffrey Ragazzo

Timothy Tolar

Suzanne Vadnal

Judith Vivian

Criminal Records

Edward Kovacic

Foreclosure

Mariagrazia Bonezzi

Stephen Bucha III

Probation

Mary Block

Shaunte Dixon

Kubaza Hawthorne

Jessica Hurt

Bill Kavourias

Deborah Maddox

Tracey McCorry

Nakia Mitchell

Maria Nemec

Nicole Picciano

Rhonda Ruff-Queen

Dylan Shepherd

August Birthdays!

Psy Clinic

Julian Dooley

George Schmedlen

Staff Attorneys

Jayne Jakubaitis

Lisa Stickan

TASC

Joanne Adamo

Theodore Chaplik

On The Cover:

The 1931 Jury Wheel on

display in the Justice Center

Lobby. Jury Wheels were

used to select potential

jurors until computer

databases became reliable!

Dress Down Day cartoon

copyright 2010 by Stefano M.

Baratti.