• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Crime / Courts / Ternus makes first public comments since retention election (AUDIO)

Ternus makes first public comments since retention election (AUDIO)

December 9, 2010 By O. Kay Henderson

Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Marsha Ternus.

The Iowa Supreme Court’s chief justice today made her first public comments after losing her retention election last month. 

Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and the two other justices who were voted off the court last month issued a written statement on Election Night, but the brief speech Ternus gave during an awards ceremony in Ames was her first public statement in front of microphones and cameras. 

Listen: TernusAward

Ternus was recognized by the Youth and Shelter Services organization. The group cited the “one child/one judge” policy Ternus instituted which ensures the same judge deals with a child throughout the entire court system. A 16-year-old who went into foster care at the age of five was there to speak at the awards ceremony and, through her tears, she praised the policy as she’s had the same judge for 11 years.

“If you change judges, the judge will not know what is going on as well as a judge who has been on the same case for as long as the child’s been in foster care,” she said. “…If you keep changing judges, the child and the child’s family will not know if the judge will make the right choice.”

Justic Marsha Ternus and First Lady Mari Culver pose for a picture.

Ternus told the crowd her composure had been shattered by the young woman’s tribute.

“I am truly thankful for the opportunities that I have had as a member of the court to advocate on behalf of children and families. It’s the most important work that I have ever done,” Ternus said, her voice breaking with emotion. “And thank you for this award.” 

Her last day on the court is December 31.  Ternus did not directly mention the retention election, but First Lady Mari Culver — a lawyer — did.  Culver was on hand to present the award to Ternus, and she drew repeated bursts of applause from the crowd.

“The political season is over, so I guess I can speak my mind,” Culver said and the crowd erupted in applause and cheers. “What happened in the November elections with our Iowa court system is a stain on the history of our state. It is a travesty.”

Culver called Ternus a “highly-respected leader” and Culver addressed the spectre of future electoral battles for the four justices who remain on the court who joined in the unanimous opinion on gay marriage that sparked voter outrage.

The selection and the retention of judges in this state must remain free from the infusion of petty, partisan politics,” Culver said. “Chief Justice Ternus, your departure from the supreme court is a loss not only to the court and to the whole state, but to the children and the youth of our state.” 

Ternus, in her brief remarks, said when she was appointed to the court in 1993 she had no idea her work would include advocacy for children. 

“I had not only an opportunity but an obligation as a member of the Iowa Supreme Court to foster the contributions that the court system could make in working with agencies,” she said. “…to do everything we could for the vulnerable children of our state.” 

Ternus said there is “no more important contribution to make” than to help children and families in need.

“When we ensure that our children have a good upbringing, we give them the tools they need to become responsible, productive and happy adults,” Ternus said. “…They’re just kids and they’ve had a bad break, but they all have wonderful potential if we care enough to give them the tools they need to reach that potential.” 

Read a live blog of today’s event.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Chet Culver, Democratic Party, Legislature, Republican Party, Same-Sex Marriage, Terry Branstad

Featured Stories

Governor signs Iowa Renewable Fuels Standard into law

Jury returns guilty verdict in shooting death of State Trooper

Summit has easements for 20% of carbon pipeline route through Iowa

Morel mushroom hunters on hold without warmer conditions

Trinity Health aquiring all MercyOne health properties

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Iowa Special Olympics Summer games set to open in Ames

Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll 5/16/22

Iowa assistant coach Kirk Speraw to retire

Northern Iowa prepares for Missouri Valley Conference softball tournament

T.J. Otzelberger announces staff changes at Iowa State

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2022 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC