NW OH: 2 judges square off for appellate court

The Toledo Blade is reporting this week on a race that should be on the radar of every pro-gun voter in Ohio's 6th Appellate District. (Not sure what pro-gun candidates will be appearing on your ballot next Tuesday? Click here to get your personalized slate card of pro-gun candidates!)

Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Thomas Osowik is running against Buckeye Firearms Association endorsee and Judge Dennis Parish, the man who currently holds the chair. Judge Parish has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he deserves the pro-gun vote.

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From the story:

As the only non-Lucas County judge who has 20 or more years of experience in family court, Mr. Parish said he brings a different perspective that provides balance and stability to the court. Of the more than 475 cases he has heard, he has written and published 170 opinions.

“I am the only judge on the court with a background in family law, probate, or juvenile and domestic relations law. About 20 percent of the cases decided by the court deal with family law,’’ he said. “The other four judges and my opponent have no real background in family law.’’

“Also, a large portion our cases are criminal cases. I think being a former criminal prosecutor gives me a unique perspective that is different from the other judges on the court,’’ he said.

Among Judge Parish’s 17 dissenting opinions was a case before the court on the challenge by a Wood County man to Toledo’s ban on weapons in city parks.

Two judges upheld the restriction but Mr. Parish disagreed, in part because he believed the ruling would promote uncertainty in the state concealed-carry law.

For those familiar with the Sixth District Court's asinine ruling on CCW bans in parks, it will do the heart good to note that when it comes to his dissents becoming the law of the land when the Ohio Supreme Court hears appeals from the Sixth District, Judge Parish bats 1000.

Mr. Parish and Mr. Osowik are running for the time remaining on a six-year term that expires in February, 2009. The winner would seek re-election in two years.

No matter how many pro-gun legislators who are elected, and no matter how many pro-gun bills they send to the governor, it can all be for naught without good pro-Constitution judges sitting on the bench. Please do everything you can in the next week to make sure your Northwest Ohio friends know the name Judge Dennis M. Parish.

The Sixth District Court of Appeals is made up of Erie, Fulton, Huron, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Williams and Wood Counties.

Related Story:
Dennis M. Parish: A name northwest Ohio gun owners need to remember at the polls