We are fortunate to have Judge Tim Gerking (past rotary president), Judge Ben Bloom and Judge David Hoppe as Rotarians, and as speakers at our October 17th club meeting.
Judge Tim Gerking ran for the position after many years in private law practice and took office Jan. of 2013 and now has the position of “Presiding Judge” organizing the dockets for the Jackson County judges as well as hearing his own case load.
Gerking gave a good overview of how the system of courts works statewide in Oregon and how the growing case load in our county is on the rise with a greater need than anywhere else in Oregon for additional judges.
Judge Bloom was appointed by Gov Kulongoski in 2010 but ran and won for office Jan of 2012. Bloom explained the different kinds of court cases within Jackson County and that he receives the greatest satisfaction from our unique Dependency Court and the positive results he sees vs. standard incarceration.
Judge Hoppe was elected in 2014 and took office Jan 2015 after serving many years as deputy District Attorney in Jackson County. Judge Hoppe discussed his position as judge is really about guaranteeing “Process” is fair and constitutional. Unlike the TV versions of judges, it is a more quiet position where his personal opinion is not apparent nor relevant and a role he greatly respects.
