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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Monday, June 29, 2009 10:28 PM CDT
Bower seeks election to circuit judge post

Staff Report

CHARLESTON — Attorney Brian Bower has announced that he will be a candidate for a judge’s position in the judicial circuit that includes Coles County.

Bower, who serves as Charleston’s city attorney and also has a private law practice, released an announcement that said he plans to run for the position that will be elected next year. He’ll seek the Republican Party nomination, he said.

There’s a judicial vacancy in the circuit because of the retirement of former Circuit Judge Dale Cini; Richard Scott, a retired judge, is filling the vacancy temporarily.

The position will be elected in the state’s 5th Judicial Circuit, which includes Coles County and also covers Clark, Cumberland, Edgar and Vermilion counties.

In his announcement, Bower said he returned to his hometown of Charleston to practice law after graduating from the Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1983. He started the Coles Cumberland Bar Association’s pro bono program, which serves some clients at no charge, and the program received a recognition award from the Illinois State Bar Association this year, according to the announcement.

The statement also noted that Bower helped establish and operate a peer court program and an effort to combat underage drinking, and has also served as a business law instructor at Lake Land College.

Bower is the only announced candidate for the judge’s position so far, and voters in all five counties in the judicial circuit will cast ballots in the election. The position will be on the February primary ballot and will then be elected in November 2010.

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Interested Observer wrote on Jun 30, 2009 2:44 AM:

" I wonder whether or not "Judge" Bower will order the sheriff to produce incarcerated inmates in court for required court appearances, such as city court dates, or will allow the sheriff to continue his blatantly illegal practice of refusing to take them to court? "

Amber wrote on Jun 30, 2009 6:40 AM:

" This person is Too Politically Sensitive! "

lefty wrote on Jun 30, 2009 9:05 AM:

" You ever talked to Bowers? This dude is not qualified. "

Michael wrote on Jun 30, 2009 9:29 AM:

" Bower is NOT the only announced candidate for judge, Matt Sullivan of Paris announced nearly 10 days ago for the same seat! Matt has been States Attorney in Edgar County for more than 8 years. This is a circuit-wide seat and the winner will travel throughout five counties. "

blondie2 wrote on Jun 30, 2009 9:39 AM:

" Amber...do you care to share any more about your statement? If you are referring to the book out of Edgar County I am sure you are way off base, and shouldn't make such judgements...Mr. Bower, from what I have observed, would make a fine judge.
Good Luck. "

Harry Potter wrote on Jun 30, 2009 10:32 AM:

" Seriously, could he be any worse that the last guy, you know the one who ran for states attorney? "

All The Way wrote on Jun 30, 2009 10:42 AM:

" What makes you say that, Lefty? Just saying it without any reasons behind it means nothing. Also, it's Bower, not Bowers. Getting the name correct might help your cause. "

just watching wrote on Jun 30, 2009 10:51 AM:

" "This dude is not qualified." Neither's ferguson so they should get along like peas & carrots. "

Mike P wrote on Jun 30, 2009 11:24 AM:

" City attorneys running for judge. What a great Idea. Read through this a couple times now, and aboslutely no mention of what is hoped to be brought and instilled in seeking this much higher office. Only that no one else is running for it yet.

Hopefully there might be some other deeper qualifications seeking this 5 county elected circuit seat.

No, I don't mean lawyer/accountant, this one already instructs business law at LLC as well. I wasn't aware they had a Law program. "

lefty wrote on Jun 30, 2009 8:05 PM:

" All The Way wrote on Jun 30, 2009 10:42 AM:
" What makes you say that, Lefty? Just saying it without any reasons behind it means nothing. Also, it's Bower, not Bowers. Getting the name correct might help your cause. "

Oops! Al Th Wy, can I respond to your message when I spell your name this way?

I guess the opinion doesn't matter dude to grammar. Sorry, I went to the local schools. "

All The Way wrote on Jul 1, 2009 2:17 PM:

" And yet, you didn't answer the question. Your opinion matters, otherwise I wouldn't have asked. I wanted to know what shaped your opinion, you give no reason. "

Interested Observer wrote on Jul 2, 2009 1:15 AM:

" I guess it means the sheriff will continue to do his sworn duty... "

lefty wrote on Jul 2, 2009 1:48 AM:

" ALL THE WAY, because when you ask him about local regulations and legal ramifications, he comes off as arrogant, and instead of explaining the law oftentimes responds with "that's just how it is."

Really he is a typical city attorney. "I know it all, city council folk should bow down before me, I am the source of all local knowledge." "

All The Way wrote on Jul 2, 2009 1:15 PM:

" See, that wasn't so hard now, was it? "

Responsible Party wrote on Jul 2, 2009 3:12 PM:

" I have noticed that arrogance and ignorance are often found together... with one utilized in futile attempt to mask the other. "