The Seguin Daily News continues to highlight the local candidates appearing on the March 1, 2022 Primary Election. Each candidate was asked to respond to the following three questions. Early voting begins Monday, Feb. 14 and runs through Friday, Feb. 25. Today’s featured contest is the Republican nomination for Guadalupe County Justice of the Peace Pct. 1. There are no local candidates appearing on the Democratic ballot for this position.
William “Darrell” Hunter
Guadalupe County Justice of the Peace Pct. 1
Incumbent
Why am I running?
For the past 46 years, Guadalupe County has been absolutely wonderful to myself and my family. My wish is to continue serving the people with trust, fairness, honesty and integrity as they absolutely deserve. I want to continue to serve Guadalupe County with the same integrity as I have always done. I have always considered myself as a “common ground judge” for all of the people.
What are the biggest challenges facing the winner of this seat and how are you prepared to address those challenges?
Every two years all courts are faced with changing laws that Legislators make and keeping up with the current laws that are always challenging, but are always implemented. I always attend all mandated and required continuing education to remain current with the changing laws.
What do you believe makes you the best candidate for the job? In other words, what do you believe sets you apart from your opponents?
In other words, what do you believe sets you apart from your opponents? It is my belief that I am the most qualified candidate for this position, due to my 23 years of judicial experience as your Justice of the Peace and my 24 years of experience of being a police officer and I am not a lawyer. My opponents say they can run this office more effectively and better because they can bring a fresh approach with the “knowledge of a lawyer” to the bench. It still takes experience to be effective, on or off the bench and still be able to run this office. This court was created as the “People’s Court” and it needs to remain the “People’s Court” and I am among those people. Layman’s people can come to this court for whatever reason, without an attorney and without the intimidation of the Judge being a lawyer. The other candidate claims because “judicial experience” would make that person a better judge for this job, I disagree… I am the ONLY seasoned candidate that has the judicial experience as a Justice of the Peace (since 1999), plus having the vast knowledge of laws that pertains only to this court. None of the other candidates have the experience, other than representing their clients occasionally in JP court. Just because you were a judge representing some other type of court, does not mean you have the knowledge of the inner workings of being a Justice of the Peace, as I do.
Saundra “Sam” Meyer
Guadalupe County Justice of the Peace Pct. 1
Why am I running?
My life has been full and blessed. Blessed with 5 wonderful children, 7 amazing grandkids, and an exceptional husband. I’ve worked hard my entire life but don’t resent or regret any of it. Now that I have a law degree and am an experienced lawyer, it is time to give back.
This community has given me so much and the incredible people I’ve met and friends I’ve made are second to none. The people of Guadalupe County are REAL.
These hardworking people need officials who understand and can relate to their daily problems and issues that affect them. My goal is to give back by working for them as a fair and impartial judge, to do right by the people and be fair and honest, to take pride in this community and the office I would hold.
It would be a great honor to be allowed to serve Guadalupe County and give the community what they deserve, a fair and just JP that know the law and listens to the people.
I believe I would not just listen but actually hear the problems and help resolve the issues by making educated decisions and supporting my office.
I know the office of JP does not require an attorney, but I believe with my education, background and experience, I would be an excellent JP and bring to the office that extra something that the office and the community needs.
What are the biggest challenges facing the winner of this seat and how are you prepared to address those challenges?
There are several duties and responsibilities of this office that some people may not know.
This office is responsible for everything from small claims and evictions to animal mistreatment and arrest warrants, coroner inquests and other important actions that affect all of the community.
For the past few years I have been to almost every JP Court in central Texas, from Waco and Georgetown to Laredo and Brownsville. I find that the counties, and even the individual JPs within the counties, all have different standards, rules, and procedures.
This is confusing for most, even the attorneys are sometimes confused. One very important issue I see is the drastic difference between counties and JP courts and the different interpretations of the law. It is very unfair to both the Plaintiffs and the Defendants. This is one major issue I believe needs to be addressed. Someone with a background in law and interpreting statutes and rules would be a better fit for the office of JP.
The people of this community will know if they are in JP 1 they will be treated fairly and will be heard. If the law is broken, fair and expediate justice will be served. If a law enforcement officer needs a warrant, it will be signed as soon as possible. If a statute or ordinance needs researched I will research it. There would be no “off the cuff” decisions made from the bench if I am JP.
My goal is to serve the community in a fair and just manner and not on my timetable, but as quickly as possible. I want Guadalupe County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 to be a trusted and honorable office, one the community and staff can be proud of.
I will accomplish what needs to be accomplished and be ready whenever my community needs me and always perform my duties in a fair and judicial manner.
What do you believe makes you the best candidate for the job? In other words, what do you believe sets you apart from your opponents?
My experience makes me an outstanding candidate. I’ve worked outside the home since age 13. I have worked as a waitress, store clerk, cleaned offices, then became a bookkeeper. I went to college and got my law degree while raising children and caring for my elderly Grandma.
I have always worked two or three jobs at a time and attended school when I could. I obtained my law degree at 45 years old. I am licensed in Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. I have practiced for 12 years.
A lot of my experience was also obtained in mediations. I was an arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau in Oklahoma and a mediator for the City of Tulsa. I have represented Plaintiffs and Defendants, families, corporations, and practiced criminal law too, as a defense attorney.
I believe in God, Family, Texas and Country. I believe the people of Guadalupe County believe the same.
I will bring legal experience, a true knowledge of the law, and a fresh, clean perspective to the office.
I will be devoted to the law, fairness, and truth. There is no responsibility of this office that I would take lightly.
If elected I will always respect my office and the people who put me in it. I would continue to work as hard as possible for this community and do the best job possible.
I would always show everyone I encounter the respect and courtesy they deserve. Staying humble and remembering why I was elected is key.
I am the best candidate for the job because I WILL work hard, I WILL consider the people involved when making decisions, I WILL make sure to know this job inside and out.
You will not regret voting for Sam Meyer. I will know my place, to serve this community and to representative Guadalupe County.
Kelly Cross
Guadalupe County Justice of the Peace Pct. 1
Why am I running?
Over 30 years ago I answered the call to become an attorney to help people, advocating and protecting the marginalized and the voiceless, and I!m continuing that calling by seeking to become Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1. The JP court is known as the people!s court and many people who come here don!t even have attorneys, so I believe having a judge with genuine legal experience and knowledge of the law provides a better service to those attending. I think everyone would agree there should be someone in the room who knows the law – not just a sliver of the law. Also, our community is not what it was nearly a quarter century ago when the incumbent took office. Precinct 1 has been steadily shifting from rural to suburban and as it does, so should our expectations of judicial competence. If local legal talent is available and willing, it provides a better value for citizens if those legal professionals fill judicial positions, even if it is n”t mandated by law. I believe I provide citizens a greater return on their investment. I have legal and judicial experience, while also bringing a fresh perspective to the JP court. 2.
What are the biggest challenges facing the winner of this seat and how are you prepared to address those challenges?
Changing JP1 court from a who you know to a what you know perspective will be a challenge. I will be on the alert for systemic problems within JP1. Sometimes “this is the way we have always done it”, is no longer optimal for the citizens of JP #1. Without a fresh legal perspective, and a new set of eyes, improvement past business as usual is not going to happen. I believe a non-attorney sitting as JP for nearly a quarter of a century, hinders the development of legal innovations needed for our changing times.When elected, I will provide excellent service, foster a culture open to change, and encourage ongoing improvement. My commitment to you is road repair, transparent budgeting, ensuring public safety, addressing flooding issues, economic development, small business support, and most importantly, being accessible and responsible to you.
What do you believe makes you the best candidate for the job? In other words, what do you believe sets you apart from your opponents?
Changing JP1 court from a who you know to a what you know perspective will be a challenge. I will be on the alert for systemic problems within JP1. Sometimes “this is the way we have always done it”, is no longer optimal for the citizens of JP #1. Without a fresh legal perspective, and a new set of eyes, improvement past business as usual is not going to happen. I believe a non-attorney sitting as JP for nearly a quarter of a century, hinders the development of legal innovations needed for our changing times.
