MASON — Four Republican lawyers are plugging their experience and qualifications in a May 8 primary race for the municipal judge's seat.

        The winner of the primary will be a shoo-in in the general election unless a heavy-hitting independent joins the November ballot.

        Mason residents Thomas E. Fox Jr., George Parker, Robert Peeler and James Whitaker are vying to replace Judge David Batsche, who retires Dec. 31 after 30 years on the bench.

Parker

Peeler

Whitaker

        The court, which serves about 50,000 residents in Mason and Deerfield Township, handles misdemeanor criminal and traffic cases, initial hearings for felony offenders, and low-level civil complaints.

        The six-year judicial term is considered part-time even though the court has hearings five days a week.

        Mr. Fox, 46, is a graduate of Wittenberg University and the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He has served as the primary acting judge in Mason Municipal Court in Judge Batsche's absence since 1995.

        An important factor in the race, he said, is a judge's ability to handle an annual caseload that has jumped 38 percent since 1990. He is a proponent of streamlining procedures in the clerk's office, updating equipment, and publishing instructions in Spanish and Russian to meet the needs of the growing immigrant community.

        Mr. Parker, 36, is a graduate of UC and Capital University Law School. He waged an unsuccessful but close campaign in 1998 against Anthony Valen for a seat on the 12th District Court of Appeals.

        Mr. Parker has served as acting municipal judge, a magistrate handling domestic relations cases in Butler County Common Pleas Court, and as coordinator of the Alternate Dispute Resolution program.

        Mr. Parker said he wants to establish a mediation and arbitration program, as well as a satellite branch in Deerfield Township.

        Mr. Peeler, 48, is a graduate of Murray State University and Chase College of Law. He has held the position of Mason city prosecutor for 17 years, and is endorsed by the Miami Valley Association of Trial Lawyers, and Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper.

        Mr. Peeler is stumping on experience, saying his familiarity with the court and knowledge of the backgrounds of repeat offenders make him a good choice.

        Mr. Peeler has waged several campaigns for public office, making three unsuccessful bids for municipal judge of Lebanon.

        Mr. Whitaker, 54, has served as Lebanon city prosecutor for 24 years and preceded Mr. Peeler as prosecutor in Mason, serving there from 1976 to 1983. Mr. Whitaker is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 133 which represents Lebanon police.

        Mr. Whitaker said he wants to add probation officers and establish new programs geared at decreasing offender recidivism.

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