MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

To the editor:

I recently had the opportunity to attend the McGlynn/Stewart judicial candidate forum in Collinsville hosted by the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce. It was my first opportunity to hear the appellate court candidates in person.

Judge Steve McGlynn's comments were right on regarding the need for court reform. The litigious environment of Madison and St. Clair counties has fostered the exit of many doctors and jobs from our area. We should elect judges who not only recognize this, but want to fix the problems and move back to a fair court system. In this context, it should not be deemed a Republican vs. Democrat political issue.

I was shocked to hear that Judge Bruce Stewart does not think our courts need to be reformed. Blatantly indicative of this need for reform are the past and ongoing case filings in our local courts coming from various other states throughout the U.S. No wonder the trial lawyers are financing Judge Stewart's campaign.

James Busch
Edwardsville