The Collin County Observer™

This is part of a series of interviews of those candidates who are running for elected office in Collin County, Texas. The information in this article is based on materials and interviews provided by the candidate. If you would like to be interviewed by the Collin County Observer, please email your request to bill@baumbach.org.

Barnett Walker, 50, is a candidate for the bench of Collin County Court at Law #2. A seasoned criminal attorney, for both the prosecution and the defense, as well as a decorated military veteran, Walker believes he is the best candidate for judge.

Walker, a Texas native, and a Prosper resident. His wife Jackie, have two children, Barnett (27), and Nicole (26). He is a member of Prestonwood North Baptist Church, the VFW and American Legion. He is active and spends much of his time giving back to the community as a Volunteer for the Special Olympics, Feed the Homeless Shelter, Christian Children’s fund, and the Salvation Army.

A committed Republican, he is involved in many local Republican organizations including the Lincoln Society, Collin County Golden Corridor Republican Women, Collin County Conservative Republicans, and the Collin County Republican Men’s Club, and a delegate for the upcoming Republican convention.

Walker graduated from Carter High School in Dallas Texas. At the young age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He ultimately earned the rank of Senior Master Sergeant, which Congress limits to the top 3% of the armed forces. He served in 12 different countries and is a Gulf War Veteran. He supervised 80 personnel and a $100 million nuclear detonation detection facility, led troops in the Gulf War, was named Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year (selected from 5000), and was decorated 47 times upon his retirement.

During his service, Walker graduated Summa Cum Laude, from Columbia College. He obtained his law degree from Southern Methodist University. He was a member of the moot court team that won the national championship and Walker was named “Best Oral Advocate” which is given to the best Advocate among all of the participants.
After graduating from law school, Walker began his legal career as a prosecutor for the Collin County District Attorney’s Office. While there, he served as chief prosecutor for two courts. He obtained convictions on some of the most challenging and high-profile cases in the office, including Albert Sterling, the Allen resident who hired a hit-man to kill his eight-month pregnant wife and unborn child. He has also worked closely with victims, their families, and law enforcement to incarcerate dangerous sexual predators.

Walker is now in private practice and serves as a criminal defense attorney. As a defense attorney, he has earned a reputation for being a strident advocate to protect the rights of all who are before the court system He has waived his fee for some of his most indigent clients.

In addition to his legal practice, Walker serves as the Mental Health Hearing Judge

Walker has earned the trust of both prosecutors and the private bar. He has been the lead attorney in over 100 criminal cases in Collin County. This, asserts Walker,is a testament to his qualification for this bench. Collin County Courts at Law are over 90% devoted to criminal law. The County Courts of Law are where Walker has and continues to actively litigate criminal cases; and he is intimately familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of these courts. Of all of the candidates, he is the attorney of record on the most criminal cases filed in Collin County. He is familiar with the criminal justice system from top to bottom – from the police stations to the court rooms.

Walker plans to use his knowledge and expertise to provide exceptional service and bring cost savings to the Collin County citizens. Walker states that one way he can save the taxpayers of Collin County money by streamlining the process for admonishing non English speaking defendants.

Walker is proud to have earned the endorsements of many members of the private and defense attorneys as well as the Collin County Conservative Republicans, the Collin County Deputies Association, Frisco Police Association, Plano Police Association, Coalition for Better Government, and Tea Part Approved. The diversity of his endorsements demonstrate, according to Walker, the regard in which he is held and the confidence that citizens have in him as to his ability to be impartial and apply the law to all equally. Walker states that he will apply the law to the facts presented to him. He will not legislate from the bench and will thoughtfully consider and listen to all of the parties to arrive at a fair verdict.

Barnett Walker asks for your vote and believes that he is most qualified for the County Court at Law #2 because he:

• has the most experience practicing criminal law in Collin County;
• has continually practiced in the Collin County Courts at Law and is intimately familiar with criminal law and procedure;
• is currently a mental health judge in the Collin County Courts at Law.
• is a decorated USAF veteran with experience managing a $100 million operation;
• has the endorsements of the Collin County Deputies Association, the Plano Police Association, and the Collin County Conservative Republicans as well as defense attorneys; and
• has ideas and concrete plans to save the citizens of Collin County tax dollars by improving the efficiency of the courts.

For more information about Barnett Walker and his candidacy for CCL#2, please see his website at http://walkerforjudge.com/index.html .

This is part of a series of interviews of those candidates who are running for elected office in Collin County, Texas. The information in this article is based on materials and interviews provided by the candidate. If you would like to be interviewed by the Collin County Observer, please email your request to bill@baumbach.org.

Sharon Ramage, 51, met with me so that I could learn about her and her candidacy. She has been married to her husband, Todd for over twelve years and together they have twin daughters, Sarah and Rachel, who are ten years of age. A resident of Frisco, Texas, she and her family are parishioners at St. Jude’s Catholic Church where she is a Sunday School teacher.

Ramage graduated in 1988, from the University of Texas – Arlington with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She earned her law degree from Baylor School of Law, was on the Law Review Editorial Board, and graduated with high honors in 1992. She has been a licensed attorney in the State of Texas for almost 20 years.

Ramage launched her legal career as a Tarrant County Prosecutor for 5 years where she prosecuted and tried thousands of criminal cases including misdemeanor and felony crimes. For two of those years, Sharon worked in the Crimes Against Children Division where she prosecuted child homicides and sex crimes against minors.

She has been in private practice for 15 years where she practiced in the areas of criminal defense, civil law, and family law. Currently, she provides representation in criminal appellate matters and family law.

Sharon has served as lead counsel in over 100 jury trials and in countless bench trials, contested hearings, and appeals. Most importantly, states Ramage, is her position, which she has held since 2003, as a Special Education Hearing Officer for the State of Texas, presiding as a judge over complex, contested hearings involving public schools and the education of children with disabilities. She is a frequently requested speaker and author at the National Administrative Law Judge conferences on hearing management and evidence.

She has served as a mediator, and this, Ramage believes, is another qualification that contributed to her ability to be a good listener and permits her to be objective when rendering decisions as a judge.

As the owner of an office building, Ramage stated that she also has experience in running a business. She owns an office building and is the president of the association of owners of the office park where her building is located. She understands the day to day needs of effectively and efficiently maintaining the operation of a business. Sharon believes she can apply this experience in managing the day to day operations of the court.

She will follow the law as written and as set forth by the Texas Legislature and the Constitution. Ramage believes it is not the job of a judge to legislate from the bench. She wants each and every citizen to have the opportunity to be heard with respect and objectivity.

Ramage is proud of her endorsements from a range of supporters, including the Texas Home School Association PAC, local attorneys from the civil, family and criminal bar associations, and local business and community leaders.

When asked why she believes she is the best qualified among all the candidates for County Court at Law #2, Sharon finds that although all of the candidates bring some qualifications to the table, she is the best candidate because she:

- has the most experience practicing law as a licensed attorney than all of the other candidates combined;

- is an experienced judicial officer hearing and deciding cases with her 9 years of experience as an Administrative Law Judge;

- has experience in criminal and civil litigation;

- has practiced criminal law for 20 years, prosecuting and defending cases in trial, and prosecuting and defending criminal matters on appeal;

- has the greatest diversity of experience in all areas of the law that are within the jurisdiction of CCL#2; and

- has the ability to be a civil and objective listener to all sides of a controversy.

For more information about Sharon Ramage and her candidacy for CCL#2, please see her website at http://sharonramageforjudge.com/.

Sonja Hammer passed away last night after a long battle with illness.

Sonja was a "true citizen watch dog".

She fought Plano for years to open city records and meetings, and her efforts helped make the citizens better learn the issues in Plano.

Not too long ago, the Plano City "Special Recognition" was given to her by Mayor Dyer and the Plano City Council for being a "timeless champion of open and transparent municipal government".

While she was often an outspoken critic of the city council, she loved Plano. For many years, she volunteered for her city. She served on the Senior Citizens Advisory Board from 2005 - 2009, and she was a graduate of the City of Plano Citizens Academy.

She had been a long time member of the Mary Shirley McGuire Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Last year, the City Council and Mayor Dyer named her an "Outstanding Plano Citizen". In the proclamation:

PLANO
SPECIAL RECOGNITION

SONJA HAMMAR
OUTSTANDING PLANO CITIZEN

WHEREAS, Sonja Hammar has been an active member of the Pl&no community as
a volunteer, advocate, and Senior Citizens Advisory Board member, and

WHEREAS, Sonja is a champion of open and transparent municipal government, working
to improve the way information Is delivered to Plano residents, which has been an asset
in helping the City of Plano improve its communication with the citizens; and

WHEREAS, her interest in the city website has ensured the timely dispersing of City Council and Boards and Commissions agendas and minutes; and

WHEREAS, Sonja can be counted on to see the many sides of discussions involving city policies, particularly those affecting senior residents; and

WHEREAS, Sonja has been tirelessly active in supporting and promoting issues
concerning the city's senior residents; and

WHEREAS, she has worked diligently 10 insure that seniors who are not able to drive have some form of transportation to get their medical appointments end important
engagements; and

WHEREAS, Sonja's tireless work with all issues that impact Plano, especially the
elderly in our community is an inspiration t0 all who come in contact with her;

NOW, THEREFORE,I, PHIL DYER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF PLANO, TEXAS, do hereby bestow Special Recognition upon Sonja Hammar for the outstanding efforts she puts forth on behalf of City of Plano issues involving our senior citizens, and I do thereby encourage all citizens t0 join me and the City Council in recognizing and honoring Sonja's work. You make City a better place

Office of the Mayor

Her ashes will be interned today (Friday) at the Restland Funeral Home in Dallas at 3:00 PM. There are no scheduled services.

She did "make the City a better place."

Bill