Several sources confirm that John Thornton is now Judge John Thornton.
Congratulations!
Explosions in NYC this evening on 34th and Lexington appear to be a steam pipe explosion and "not terrorist related." What a shame that we live in a time where that has to be said.
BROWARD DIVERSITY COMMISSION NO LONGER DIVERSIFIEDJudge Elijah Williams resigns from the commission: "I will not be carrying the white man's water..."
The Herald REPORTS
Judge Elijah H. Williams -- the first black judge to be appointed to the Broward bench in 20 years -- resigned Tuesday as the chair of the court's recently created diversity board, accusing the county's chief judge of interfering with the board's mission.
The resignation comes one day after a new chief judge was elected in an effort to restore a sense of dignity to the bench, whose judges have come under scrutiny for a series of insensitive remarks.
In a hand-delivered letter to acting Chief Judge Mel Grossman, Williams angrily denounced Grossman for a meeting he had with diversity board lawyers without his knowledge.
The resignation comes one day after a new chief judge was elected in an effort to restore a sense of dignity to the bench, whose judges have come under scrutiny for a series of insensitive remarks.
In a hand-delivered letter to acting Chief Judge Mel Grossman, Williams angrily denounced Grossman for a meeting he had with diversity board lawyers without his knowledge.
...
Chief Judge Dale Ross created a diversity board, a four-member committee charged with raising cultural sensitivity on the bench. Ross is recovering from hip surgery, with Grossman serving in his stead during his recovery.
In a strongly-worded response, Williams said he should have been included in the meeting and that Ross had given the board ``carte blanche authority to field diversity complaints, etc.''
'. . . I made it clear to Chief Judge Ross that I would not be `carrying the white man's water,' '' Williams wrote in the letter to Grossman. ``More importantly, I told the chief judge that I would look at these issues from a different perspective and he agreed not to control, hinder or influence me in any manner.''
Rumpole says: not a very promising start for the administration of new chief Judge Tobin. Say what you want, but give Judge Williams credit for speaking his mind.
Do we have a diversity commission in Dade?
Do we need one?
Does anybody carry anyone else's water in Dade?
I thought I saw one Judge carrying a Cafe Con Leche to another Judge's chambers the other day, but does that count?
See you in Court. Plus a substantial reward to any attorney who gives Judge Williams a silver bucket to commemorate his brave remarks.