Now, two Judge Albrights
I was flabbergasted yesterday when our courts reporter, Eric Collins, told me Doug Albright had been sworn in as an emergency judge and was preparing for his first assignment in Union County.
I have a great deal of respect for Albright, so I'd wanted to believe him when he said he was retiring as a Guilford County Superior Court judge a year before his term was to expire not to clear the way for the appointment of his son, Stuart, but for health reasons.
It seems his health will allow him to work some more after all. So why couldn't he continue in office here?
Sure, as an emergency judge, he can accept assignments or turn them down. He can carry as light a workload as he wants.
Still, the sequence of events was just too neat. Stuart Albright gets the appointment to his father's seat and a leg up in running for a full term in this year's election.
Not that Stuart, district attorney for the past five years, isn't qualified to serve as a Superior Court judge. He'll probably do fine.
But why him as opposed to anyone else who might have been qualified?
It doesn't help, as we noted in an editorial Wednesday, that our mystery-enshrouded governor's office won't even say whether it gave so much as a moment's thought to any other candidate. That creates the impression it was Stuart Albright all the way.
I'd wish Doug Albright all the best in his retirement if I knew when it will begin.
Comments (7)
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Oh My! Go Julia! Toss the scare tyrant out!
Posted on January 5, 2006 9:51 AM
Doug I have been thinking once again. Where I have seen this before? I have discover that the new DA is using a classic Republican tactic. He has formed his firing team in a circle to fire Julia!
Posted on January 5, 2006 12:04 PM
You think he should have let her stay and run for his job from within his office?
(Or is it the public's office?)
Posted on January 5, 2006 5:49 PM
You think he should have let her stay and run for his job from within his office?
(Or is it the public's office?)* Doug
Tough question! But as a non-paid idiot political NSA consultant, this is the perfect situation for the new DA. Where else could you keep track of your competition than to have them right under your nose to monitor their phones, e-mails, redirect her supporters to your cause with misinformation. Put Julia on the longest and hardest cases where a jury trial case could take up to 10 months, well after the election date. And than plant false criminal and civil facts in her personal file accusing her of having a affair with the clerk of the court, stealing from the DA coffee and coke fund and the petty cash box caught on a fake video tape. Than to top it all off, move her parking lot spot 20 blocks down the street from the office and demand why is she always late for the first court call at 8 am. By the way, I was John Dean roomate in pep school and he taught me these political tricks after his release from federal prison in 1976. In the trade this is call the " Perfect Storm of Justice" On the 2nd thought, She might have fiqure this out and sucker punch the new DA into the firing to get the media interest in this political race. Do you know who her political consultant is and if it is Jack A. run and give the money back right now!!!!!!!!
Posted on January 5, 2006 9:09 PM
Connie, I appreciate your satirical style.
Posted on January 6, 2006 10:33 AM
Thanks Doug! So-call retired fools like me must have something to do if one has a young wife. Without humor in this world one would be depress all the time. Don't you think the founders had it right about the 1 st amendment with political humor?
Posted on January 6, 2006 12:27 PM
Mr. Clark,
"It seems his health will allow him to work some more after all. So why couldn't he continue in office here?"
"...the sequence of events was just too neat."
The Albrights and Henderson must think the people of Guilford County are idiots. Could this whole set of events have been MORE planned... They could have at least played the game a little longer...Apparently these guys feel they don't have to play by the rules. Hopefully the citizens of Guilford County will teach them a lesson in May (for Henderson) and November (for Albright).
Posted on January 7, 2006 12:25 PM