The picture [June 21] you published of [Fayette Superior Court Judge Johnnie] Caldwell swearing in Christopher Chapman upset our family so much that it gave us cause to write you. First of all let us be the first to congratulate Mr. Christopher Chapman on his hard-earned second career as an attorney. And also many thanks for his past service to our community as a Fayetteville police officer. We do appreciate him serving our community.

As for Mr. Caldwell, it strikes me as odd that he would have his picture taken and published for self-serving purposes such as his run for reelection for superior court judge. It is true that this picture is no different than any other politician posing for the camera during an election year, but this one had the effect of turning our stomachs.

Several years ago we had the displeasure of being sworn in as adoptive parents by Caldwell. Our family had to go in front of him on one of the grandest days of our lives, the adoption of our daughter Ashley. We were only to be treated as if we were one of the felons wearing orange that day.

It started out as we waited in his chambers with excitement for the finalizing of our adoption. There were no happier people in the state of Georgia on that day. Then, in walks Mr. Caldwell as he grumbles out a hello to us and then takes a seat and picks up the documents the ladies working with him had brought in.

Then suddenly he turns to the ladies and again grumbles out, “What the @&!# am I doing with this case?” in front of all of us and our daughter. Well, we think you can picture the rest of this supposed wonderful event with our superior court judge.

Our parents and our attorney were in shock at this man's poor judicial conduct. However, for only those few moments were we going to allow this man to negatively impact such a wonderful day in our lives. Needless to say we did NOT get our picture taken with the judge on that day. Several commented to us that Johnnie was going through some tough personal times during that period. This by no means excuses his rude and inappropriate behavior.

We do admit that we have taken interest in the campaign of John Mrosek and that we are working hard and have contributed to his campaign heavily. We have also been accused by several who have told us that we are taking this personally. The fact is — Darn right, we're taking this personally. You've gotta watch who you treat like dirt.

We had an opportunity to gaze through a little window into Caldwell's soul that day and we didn't much care for what we saw. It encouraged us to look into his actions closer to find that we are only one of many who have been treated with disdain by this man. Most have been in times of crisis in their lives where they have been either going through a tough divorce case or a victim , or family member of a victim. This is not the caliber of a person we want as a superior court judge representing Fayette County.

Secondly we feel it is time to elect a judge who is a part of our county, whose family lives here, worships here, and someone who knows our community and takes an interest in it because his children go to school here and he earns his living here. Not a candidate who is forced to spend time here because someone has challenged his incumbency and now he has to show up here to try to gather support. Where has he been in the past?

Finally, as the citizens of Fayette County: Would you rather have a judge elected by the will of the people or a judge who has been appointed by the bureaucrats and political hacks under the Gold Dome. I graciously ask for your support of John Mrosek and his family on July 18. Please vote — next time it might be you or your loved ones.

Cindy and David Bartosh

Fayetteville

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