Supports Judge Estelle

To the editor:

Please vote to retain one of Alaska’s finest Judges — Judge William Estelle. I have known Judge Estelle since he was born and know him to be an honest and trustworthy person. He is a man of integrity without question. I would trust him with my life.

Frankly, as a taxpayer, I am shocked at the time and money the Judicial Conduct Commission spent on a year-long investigation and a two-day hearing to investigate Judge Estelle’s “self-reported” errors. Why such a stir over what appears to be nothing more than a clerical error? It is my understanding the usual “punishment” for this type of minor oversight is something akin to a verbal admonishment.

I believe Judge Estelle is above reproach. He has an absolutely clean record for his 11 years on the bench, during which time he has overseen 60,000 cases.

The Judicial Conduct Commission itself has given us some of the best reasons for retaining Judge Estelle. In their own words, he “…had no dishonest or selfish motive. an excellent character and excellent reputation… a precise and thorough legal mind.” What more could we ask from any of our judges?

Let us all exercise our right to vote for this long-term judge, a third-generation Alaskan, who holds such high standards and principles.

Ginger Gorsuch

Wasilla