Candidate defends campaign mailing

Mr. Rogers: Thank you for taking the time to write and to offer your opinion about our direct mail piece concerning child molestation cases decided by Judge Caldwell, my opponent.

While I respectfully disagree, people like you who are willing to participate in the democratic process are essential to what makes America such a great nation. Too often in our modern political process, people tune out the chorus of opposing voices and never dare to engage candidates with the very issues that are important for the future of our children. So thank you for taking the time and effort to write a reply and to write a letter to the editor.

As you know, our mail piece consisted of six news reports from three different newspapers about child molestation cases decided by Judge Caldwell, nothing more and nothing less. Space limitations prevented publication of other relevant news reports.

If you believe that it is improper to present these news reports to the voters, perhaps you believe that it was improper for the newspapers to write these stories in the first place. We do not. Perhaps we have different views of the free press.

These news reports are again listed below. I would hope that you are open-minded and that you would read the cited news reports before reaching any conclusions.

Sample news stories: “New Assault Charges filed against father; Former Fayette resident who plea bargained in Georgia accused of sexual battery in Florida” — Atlanta Journal Constitution, April 9, 1998.

“No Jail for Teacher in Student Affair” — Atlanta Journal Constitution, Feb. 12, 2002.

“Justice: Did system fail abused child?“ — Atlanta Journal Constitution, Dec. 14, 1997.

“Molester arrested after tips; Arrested as he was packing his vehicle” — Griffin Daily News, Feb. 27, 2003.

“Pike Man gets only probation” — Griffin Daily News, Oct. 31, 2001.

“Man admits enticing former fiancee’s daughter; molestation charge dropped” — Fayette Citizen, Oct. 3, 2003.

Most troubling to me and my wife (we have three young children) is that in many child molestation cases not only did an offender avoid jail time but, more importantly, also avoided having to register on the sex offender registry.

Why not? This should be our biggest concern. Being able to check the sex offender registry is our community’s first line of defense.

If these six stories do not cause you concern as a parent, I would be interested in knowing how many reports you need to see before you begin the process of questioning your elected judge.

All we ask the voters to do is to read these and other news reports and case files and to judge for themselves.

John Mrosek