By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Competing for the seat vacated when Wood County Common Pleas Judge Alan Mayberry retires at the end of the year are two attorneys who grew up in the Eastwood area – Joel Kuhlman and Corey Speweik.
Kuhlman, a Democrat, has degrees in law and engineering, and served a four-year term as a Wood County Commissioner.
“The time is right,” Kuhlman said about his decision to run for judge. “I say that in respect to my own law practice. I’ve had an array of experiences as an attorney in areas of the law.”
Kuhlman began practicing law in 2008 with the firm of Stearns & Hammer. He has served as village solicitor for West Millgrove, North Baltimore, Jerry City and Bloomdale. And he practices law out of the Hammer & Kuhlman office in North Baltimore.
“They’ve helped guide me,” he said about the attorneys he has worked with over the years.
“We have in Wood County a very collegial local bar association,” he said. “You can learn a lot from opposing counsel in some cases.”
Kuhlman said he is able to maintain good relationships with attorneys he challenges in court. “I have respect for the other attorneys,” he said.
Kuhlman said he has proven himself able to be impartial.
“I’ve been in a lot of elected positions,” he said. “Each of those positions have built upon the others.”
In addition to being a county commissioner, Kuhlman has also served on Bowling Green City Council and the Wood County Educational Service Center. In all three positions, he was responsible to residents, employees and other elected officials.
“You need to be impartial when you deal with everybody,” he said.
Kuhlman said he will show that same impartiality with the prosecutors, public defenders, lawyers, plaintiffs and defendants who come before the court.
“It’s important to maintain that consistency for the folks that come in,” he said. “It’s important that they know the judge they are presenting their case to will give them the respect and impartiality they deserve.”
The Toledo Bar Association survey of judicial candidates showed that Kuhlman was preferred over Speweik by the bar members.
Neither man plans big changes when taking the judge seat.
“The current judge, who I have a great deal of respect for, has a different personality,” Kuhlman said. In the past when elected, “I’ve placed a high priority on maintaining consistency with the past office holder.”
“I want to go in without an agenda,” Kuhlman said.
“I hope when people vote for judge, they don’t vote by party,” but instead look at the person running, Kuhlman said. “It can have a huge impact on people’s lives.”
Like all other areas of life, COVID-19 has had a “dramatic” effect on courts, he said.
“That has caused quite a bit of upheaval in the court system,” Kuhlman said. For example, courts have had to weigh the safety of having jurors in the courtroom with a defendant’s rights.
“That’s all a significant challenge right now. I think our judges have done a good job of coming up with rules,” that provide a safe environment in courtrooms without infringing on the Constitutional rights of a defendant, he said.
Speweik, a Republican, practices law in Perrysburg, and has served as solicitor and prosecutor for Wayne, Bradner, West Millgrove, Luckey, Risingsun and Perrysburg.
“For years I’ve said we need to have good judges in Wood County. We’ve been fortunate to have good judges in Wood County,” Speweik said, adding that he could extend that trend.
“I’ve always felt the call to serve my community,” he said.
Speweik has served as Webster Township fiscal officer, is a member of the Wood County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board, and has worked as a court-appointed guardian ad litem for children.
“I really enjoy working for those communities,” he said of his village solicitor positions. “It’s rewarding work.”
Speweik talked about his work in the courtroom.
“As a prosecutor I’ve been fairly tough on crime,” he said. “But I’ve been fair.”
Speweik said he believes in a reasoned approach to prosecution.
“I’m not of the opinion that people should be maxed out for everything, nor am I of the opinion that people should skate through life without consequences,” he said.
As a magistrate in Walbridge and Northwood mayors’ courts, Speweik has imposed sentences for traffic violations and other misdemeanors.
“Not every speeding ticket deserves a $150 fine,” he said.
He has also handled drug cases. “I deal with them with the municipal courts where I prosecute.”
Speweik prides himself on his efficiency and his ability to juggle issues so people can have their cases heard in a timely manner.
The Wood County Common Pleas Courts handle about 2,000 cases a year – including domestic relations, real estate and criminal issues.
“Cases have become more and more complicated,” Speweik said. “I want to make sure there’s an efficient process for people.”
Speweik said he is very deliberate and impartial when viewing cases.
“I like to consider things very carefully,” he said. “The goal of criminal justice is not only to provide justice for the victims, but also to prevent future offenses.”
And along with his efficiency comes his fiscal restraint.
“I try to be a fierce watchdog of the public money, and I will continue that as judge,” Speweik said.
