A statement by The Honorable Charles R. Samuels regarding Judicial Appointments

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED Tuesday, May 15, 2012 A statement by The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council, North Central 2nd District Regarding Judicial Appointments (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) - "While it is rare that I comment about the decisions of other duly elected bodies, the decision to vote down Mr. Thorne-Begland's sponsorship as judge in the General District Court for the City of Richmond surprises, disappoints and frustrates me. Mr. Thorne-Begland has worked tirelessly for the benefit of all Richmonders and to suggest that his sexual orientation would in some way negatively affect his ability to perform the duties of a judge is ridiculous. In my dealings with him, both as a defense attorney and as a city councilman, Mr. Thorne-Begland has always displayed an excellent judicial temperament. He weighs the facts and the law before making any decision. This is the kind of person we want as a judge. I would like to thank the Richmond Delegation of the Virginia General Assembly and the other delegates who voted in support of Mr. Thorne-Begland. The Bench's loss is both the Bar’s and the Commonwealth Attorneys Office’s gain." CONTACT For more information, please contact Councilman Charles R. Samuels, at 804.646.6532; or by email, at charles.samuels@richmondgov.com. - E N D - ______________________________________ Steven R. Skinner, APR Council Public Information Manager RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF Richmond City Hall 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305 Richmond, Virginia 23219 804.646.6052 (office) 804.335.4054 (mobile) 804.937.1386 (home/mobile) 804.646.5468 (fax) steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email) www.council.richmondva.gov(website) ____________________________________________ MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council is to represent citizens in creating and amending local laws, providing government policy and oversight, and approving the city budget. VISION Richmond City Council is committed to creating a vibrant community that is a great place to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.