Letter: Colusa County judge supports Heckman

I am a judge of the Colusa County Superior Court and I unhesitatingly endorse Sarah Heckman for judge of the Sutter County Superior Court. When I speak to lawyers, other judges and people who have been involved in our courts, the characteristics of a "good judge" most often cited are the following:

• The judge needs to be prepared,

• the judge needs to listen to everyone,

• the judge needs to be fair and not biased toward one side or the other,

• the judge needs to be in control of the courtroom and

• the judge needs to have integrity.

I have known Sarah Heckman a long time and I think she has all these qualities in spades and she would be not just a "good" judge, but an outstanding one. As the family law facilitator in Sutter County, Sarah has experience dealing with many of the court's most emotional participants and she has shown them patience, kindness and fairness. She is smart, hard working and devoted to her community.

Sarah will be the kind of judge you would want if you or anyone you love is involved with the court system, maybe as a litigant, maybe as a lawyer, or maybe as a juror.

My husband, John Olivera, a teacher at Sutter High, joins me in urging you to vote for Sarah Heckman for judge.

Elizabeth "Betsy" Ufkes Olivera

Meridian