Judicial candidates have enthusiastic supporters
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By MARK GUNDERMAN mark.gunderman@lee.net
Friday, February 15, 2008 10:25 PM CST
Sometimes modesty prevents a person — even one running for public office — from pointing out their greatest strengths.
No one has run a campaign claiming to be one of the smartest people in the legislature, even if their own colleagues may concede as much. Sometimes the public can learn a little more about a candidate by listening to people who know the candidate well.
Hoping to help Chippewa County voters get to know the candidates for circuit court judge better, we talked to supporters of each to hear their perspectives.
The race is wide open. The legislature created a much-needed third branch for Chippewa County last year, so there is no incumbent for the seat. Facing off in Tuesday’s primary are Chippewa Falls attorneys Bob Ferg, Steve Cray and Julie Anderl.
Below, this time in reverse alphabetical order, are summaries of comments from supporters of the candidates.
Bob Ferg
Chippewa Falls Mayor Dan Hedrington has worked with other attorneys who have done work for the city, as well as city attorneys from other municipalities. He has no doubt that the best of them all is Bob Ferg.
Hedrington makes that assessment without saying anything negative about any other attorney.
“I worked side by side with him for over three years now in my capacity as mayor and I know Mr. Ferg’s abilities are second to none,” Hedrington said. “You don’t often run into people of the caliber of Bob Ferg.”
Hedrington personally interviewed candidates for the vacant city attorney position, since ordinance calls for a mayoral appointment with council approval.
“I knew he stood out and he has proven himself time and again,” Hedrington said.
Of course, that means Ferg has stood out in terms of the legal counsel and representation he has given the city, but Hedrington said that works on a personal level as well.
“He’s very, very good. He’s very attentive to people’s needs and council members’ needs,” he said.
Pete Lehmann, president of the Village of Lake Hallie, has no experience with Ferg as an attorney. He knows him in another capacity.
They officiate WIAA high school football games together, which is itself something of a qualification for a judicial position: Ferg has experience making decisions and sticking to them, even if they make people angry.
“I’ve seen him in some very stressful situations and he’s always kept his composure,” Lehmann said.
“I’ve seen situations where coaches have been upset and got into Bob’s personal space ,and Bob keeps his composure and steps back,” Lehmann said.
Sometimes the controversial calls weren’t Ferg’s, but Lehmann’s, and Ferg has backed him up.
“It’s a sportsmanship thing. He gets that message across to everyone, including the kids,” Lehmann said. “A lot of people don’t want to do it, but he steps out there with us every Friday.”
Steve Cray
Chippewa Falls School Board member Julie Stafford knew Steve Cray long before he was an attorney.
“I have known Steve since he was in high school and took American Government from me when I was a teacher,” Stafford said.
She has followed the rise of Cray’s career since then, from his days as a prosecutor, gaining extensive experience in areas of the law, and becoming licensed to practice before the Supreme Court. But she’s known him more as a person than as a lawyer.
“He’s a very gentle person. It’s important a judge not be arrogant. Being kind and considerate to the people coming before you would be very important,” said Stafford, who has had Cray prepare some legal documents for herself or her family.
“He’s strong; he’d be fair; I think he would be firm,” Stafford said.
Realtor Bruce Hayhoe Jr. knows Cray on both a professional and personal level — he’s one of the people who help Cray with his annual Wissota fireworks show.
“Steve has been constant over the years, giving us good legal advice,” Hayhoe said. “When I’m teetering one way or another, I call Steve.”
Hayhoe said Cray is definitely not the kind of lawyer who tells a client or a friend what he wants to hear.
Hayhoe said Cray will sometimes ask, “Bruce, is it right?” or say, “Bruce, you’re wrong and let me tell you why.” Cray might also affirm his client is on the right track and tell him to proceed.
“He has a vast knowledge. I’ve seen him in court. He is so prepared and so right on,” Hayhoe said. “He’s probably one of the best litigators (fellow Realtor and father) Bruce Sr. and I have ever seen.
“Steve’s a good man,” Hayhoe added. “It’s never been about anything but doing things the right way.”
Julie Anderl
Dan Toycen, owner of Toycen Motors in Bloomer and Ladysmith, has known Julie Anderl for probably 20 years.
“She would be a compassionate person. She would be fair, and she would be respectful of people in her courtroom,” he said of what he would expect of Anderl as a judge.
Toycen added that he has been most impressed with what Anderl has given back to the community.
“She really stands above the competition in terms of what she has given back to her community,” Toycen said. “That’s a real measure of a person, because it shows you care about people and you want to do what’s best for the community.”
Toycen has used Anderl as an attorney for both his business and personal affairs. He said she has shown solid knowledge of the law, but he’s also impressed that if she didn’t immediately know the answer, she would admit it and research it.
“I appreciate her candor,” Toycen said.
“Julie would bring a new perspective, a different kind of personality, to the bench,” Toycen concluded.
Retired Chippewa County Sheriff Doug Ellis is more familiar with Anderl personally than professionally as a law enforcement officer.
“Julie is very community-oriented,” Ellis said. “She will reach out to the community, not just being a judge inside the courthouse, but reaching out to the public outside.”
Ellis said that kind of public outreach and education is important, because people often aren’t familiar with the court system and are intimidated by it.
“Julie will treat everybody in the courtroom fairly and with respect. She would be a fair and firm judge,” Ellis said.
Ellis noted that none of the three candidates has been a circuit court judge before, so all would have to learn on the job, as he did as sheriff.
“Julie has the expertise and ability to adapt,” Ellis said.
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