THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 4, 1996 TAG: 9605040370
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
First District Judge Edgar Barnes says the key issue in Tuesday's election is building respect for the legal system, and demanding personal accountability by those who appear before the bench.
His challenger, Pasquotank County attorney Ike McRee, says he wants to build a stronger relationship between the judiciary and the public.
Barnes, 36, the incumbent, is seeking his first full term after being appointed to the bench in 1995.
``It's been my lifelong dream to be a district court judge,'' Barnes said. ``It's the greatest job in the world. It's the best opportunity to help the most people that I could possibly have.''
Barnes said that during his time on the bench, he has witnessed a growing disrespect for the legal system.
``A lot of times, it seems like the court system herds people in and herds them out,'' Barnes said. ``In dealing with juveniles especially, I try to ask them what they did, to try to find out what we can do to help them. If they don't give me an answer, they stand there until they do. The biggest problem with young people is trying to figure out what caused the problem they are in, and then try to get up that hill.''
He added, ``I'm concerned that there seems to be no sense of morality or ethics. Many times young people appear before me who seem to have no concept of right or wrong.''
Barnes said he will work for greater involvement by the private sector in working to help alleviate an increase in juvenile crime.
``There used to be a time when the church was involved in problems that impacted families and children,'' he said. ``We need to get more organizations involved in the system.''
Barnes also advocates stiffer forms of restitution.
He believes that he has made district court more accessible to the people.
Despite facing an incumbent in Tuesday's primary, McRee believes he is the most experienced candidate for the job. He believes that citizens feel the court system has lost the human touch.
``After seven years of working with abused and neglected children, and with my years as a practicing attorney, I believe I'm the best-qualified candidate for the job,'' McRee said.
McRee said many voters he has talked to in recent weeks feel the court system is closed to them.
``We need to have a judge who understands and is involved in the community,'' said McRee, 34. ``Many people I come in contact with don't feel judges are accessible. It shouldn't be that way.''
McRee said he will work to build community involvement with at-risk youth.
``We need to get involved in the communities, and talk to people in the neighborhoods who can give us an idea of why certain situations exist, and what exactly is going on,'' McRee said. ``Those people may know best what is going on. We need to find ways to bring the community into the process.''
McRee said that while juvenile crime is on the rise, stiffer sentencing may not always be the answer.
``There are people who say that if a 12-year-old commits a crime, he or she should get the same sentence as an adult,'' McRee said. ``I think we're better people than that. What we need is greater involvement by the community to take a greater role in working with at-risk kids and their families.'' MEMO: EDGAR BARNES
Residence: Roanoke Island
Age: 36
Occupation: District judge
Education: Graduate, University of North Carolina-Wilmington and
North Carolina Central School of Law.
Experience: Assistant district attorney, 1987.
Civic involvement: Member, Manteo Baptist Church, serving as deacon
and trustee. Past president, Manteo Masonic Lodge; president, Manteo
Lions Club.
Family: Wife, Michele; child, Graham.
IKE McREE
Residence: Elizabeth City
Age: 34.
Occupation: Pasquotank County attorney.
Education: Graduate of St. Andrews College and Campbell University
School of Law.
Experience: Pasquotank County attorney. Formerly Currituck County
attorney. Member, Pasquotank County Child Protection Team, Child
Fatality Protection Team.
Civic involvement: Member, Cann Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Instructor, College of the Albemarle; member, Elizabeth City Rotary
Club.
Family: Wife, Sharon Hoover McRee; one daughter, Ally.
by CNB