This pledge is most prevalent in Failure To Attend School and Parent Contributing to Nonattendance cases. Coming to a decision of guilt or innocence is, for the most part, straight forward...Either the student was in school or was not. Being able to quickly determine the root cause(s) for the unexcused absences isn't as apparent. The knowledge gained in attaining my counseling degree gives me an edge in identifying these causes. Coupled with the wisdom attained in adjudicating theses cases since taking office in January 2007, there isn't a candidate who can match my experience, ability or insight on the bench. This knowledge and skill cannot be learned from a book, it has to come through being on the bench, and increases daily. The value I provide you from the bench cannot be transferred to someone else. It takes experiencing these cases first hand to become proficient.

I have found that the two main values missing in a high percentage of these school related cases are personal responsibility and accountability. Adolescents need to be held accountable for their actions. Many of the students coming through court aren't being held to sufficient standards of accountability and fail to take responsibility for their own success and make excuses for their failures. To help instill these values into our youth starts with parenting. In early 2008 I began working with a local school counselor to administer a program called, "I Need A Parent, Not A Friend." Most of the parents who have Failure to Attend School offenders come through the JP2 Court are required to attend this program. The program is designed to give parents the knowledge and skills needed to hold their children accountable and responsible for their choices and behaviors. The feedback from those attending has been overwhelmingly positive. As your Justice of the Peace, I will ensure that this, and other developmental programs, will continue to be available and ordered in my sanctions.

My goal is to give parents the tools they need to raise their children with a "tough love" philosophy. This isn't easy! As the father of an adult child, I have experienced this reality first hand. I have learned that being a tough love parent doesn't stop when our children graduate from high school! I continue to be a tough love parent and know that every child can be successful if raised by the tough love parenting style. I don't expect the parents who come through my court to do anything that I haven't done, or something that I am not willing to do myself, to hold our children accountable to the consequences of their actions and behaviors. Your support and vote will ensure continued momentum from the JP2 Court in holding students and parents accountable for voluntary unexcused absences.

A few of my other major accomplishments since taking office include:

• Running the JP2 office with fiscal responsibility resulting in a reduction in the budgetary needs year over year.
• Reconciling over 140 Issuance of Bad Check (Hot Check) cases, some dating back to 2004, resulting in over $12,000.00 in restitution paid back to our local businesses.
• Leading the effort to employ a Juvenile Case Manager who assists all six Denton County Justices of the Peace with Failure to Attend School and Parent Contributing to Nonattendance cases. This position was added without any cost to tax payers. It is funded solely through court costs.
• Implementing a GPS ankle monitor tracking program for egregious Failure to Attend School offenders. This program too, is funded through court costs and places no financial burden on the tax payer.

I hope you see that change is not necessary in the Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 office and that my education, experience, successes and the value I bring to this position provide you with a judge who is just, fair, compassionate, and tough when necessary.