Judge Somers: ‘Acted with Integrity, not self-interest’
Judge Mark Somers
Dearborn Judge Mark Somers is back in the news, this time in the Detroit Free Press.
In a front-page article, Somers says he refuses to compromise, regardless of how unpopular his decisions may be.
Including:
• Throwing a Quran-burning Florida preacher in jail, sparking a free-speech uproar.
• Refusing to dismiss marijuana charges against a man who was prescribed the drug, asserting that the state law permitting it is unconstitutional.
• And, of course, the lawsuits filed against him after his administrative shake-up at the 19th District Court that could cost Dearborn about $2 million. Somers tells the Free Press that the decisions were based “solely on principles — principles he said he refuses to compromise, regardless of how unpopular the decisions may be.”
He does second-guess his decision to use the court’s letterhead when writing three letters that included Bible verses. The letters were entered as evidence in the lawsuits. “It was one of those, ‘What was I thinking?’ moments,” Somers tells the Free Press.
Somers, 53, goes on to say that he has no regrets about eliminating former Dearborn deputy court administrator Julie Pucci’s position and firing former probation officer Simone Calvas, although both women won civil rights lawsuits against him. A third lawsuit, filed by the court clerk, is pending.
Somers said he thinks he should remain on the bench, despite some residents’ call for his resignation. “I acted with integrity, not self-interest,” he tells the Free Press.
For the full article, Click HERE.
July 18th, 2011 at 6:48 pm
the huge amount of damage is done but i’m sure no one will be voting for him in november!
July 18th, 2011 at 9:48 pm
I swear the dude BURPED when he talks about the verdict.
Maybe he’s getting some of the indigestion he’s causing the good folks of Dearborn.
Makes me want to fart.
Should he be talking about a pending case?
July 18th, 2011 at 10:02 pm
Acted with integrity? Two juries disagreed, and now the city is stuck with the bill. If he had any respect for the citizens of Dearborn, he would step down.
July 19th, 2011 at 4:05 am
These next two voting cycles will define Dearborns future,if we do not vote out Barrack O’reily and Judge Somers then the residents here get everything they deserve. The question is,is dearborn a better city now than it was 5 years ago?
I think we all know the answer to that question.
One more term of Barrack O’reily and it will mean all of our services will be gone,neighborhoods will continue to erode,unique land marks of dearborn will be sold off,the city will head down a path to bankruptcy and while we will all be stuck here with our property values sinking more and homes under water Barrack O’reily and his cronies will ride off into the sunset with their fat cat pensions.
The future is in our hands,we know what we have to do.
July 19th, 2011 at 11:19 am
Misanthrope and narcissist. Reminds me of my ex-husband who was an extremely intelligent, bible thumping, God fearing man. Only trouble was he beat his wife, was a flaming alcoholic and cocaine addict. A great guy if you met him on the street or in his office. But who knew what went on behind closed doors?
And council is no better. They can’t even put the police and fire minimum manning issue on the ballot. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, WE DON’T EVEN HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE? What? We’re not old enough and wise enough to decide as citizens? The all-knowing Wizards of Oz surely know what’s best for us. They’re more like the scarecrow, crossing their arms, pointing their fingers in any direction except at themselves. What song was it that he sang? Oh yeah, “If I only had a brain…”
We’re not in Kansas anymore Toto. When are we going to throw our collective windows open and say we’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore!? Reminds me of an Animals tune… we gotta get out of this place, if it’s the last thing we ever do. Maybe if I just click my heels together three times and keep repeating “there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home” I can get back to the days of Orvie. Wouldn’t Nancy Hubbard just love that?
July 19th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Somers is a flaming idiot, otherwise he wouldn’t be granting a news release to the reporter, when he knows in his heart, he was wrong. All he needed was a trenchcoat, and some candy in his pocket, and he would be complete, the perverted liar. If u had any balls u would step down,but no the big boy O’Reilly hasn’t pulled that string on u yet, but believe me its coming weasel, he just wants your bench-seat and a larger robe.
July 19th, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Does anyone else see the hypocrisy in Somer’s throwing someone in jail before they commit a crime (Jones), and then invoking he Constitution when Somer’s doesn’t agree with a state law (medical marijuana). An 8th grade government student could see through this BS. He legislates from the bench!!!
July 20th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
Somers said, he was acting with integrity — if he actually was he would put his head between his legs and say he was sorry, but then again he might see his real morals and simply give it up. He is nothing more than a hypocrite.
July 20th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
“We” know what to do at the pools but do the other taxpayers??
July 21st, 2011 at 4:43 am
Don’t let Somers in the pools, he might poop in them.
July 21st, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Maybe it’s time for an emergency financial manager to take over Dearborn’s affairs.
July 21st, 2011 at 10:16 pm
Becki read up on your facts, there are no judicial elections in November this year.
July 22nd, 2011 at 12:50 pm
thanks renaude for that public shout out. I will , at the pools during adult lap swim
July 23rd, 2011 at 11:44 am
Have you seen the latest round of “Blither Fest” come out of his mouth in the Dbn P&G in response to Goodman’s article? He must sleep in his black robe at night, because he feels he has the right to stand in judgement of EVERYONE and EVERYTHING 24/7. Please notice how his remarks are stating that everything was wrong with the process, including the respected jurors of both cases, the respected Federal Judge, and his respected colleagues! Really ???
I recently heard a comment that Somers is like the Pharisees, and nothing could be more true: “such was their power and prestige that they sat and taught in “Moses’ seat”. This prestige naturally engendered arrogance and conceit, and led to a perversion in many respects of the conservative ideals of which they had been such staunch supporters”. The Pharisees were eventually shut down, and such will be the case with Somers…..
July 23rd, 2011 at 1:26 pm
Doesn’t honesty have something to do with integrity? Somers under oath said he told Judge Wygonik about the relationship/nepotism between his new court administrator and uncle. Judge Wygonik testified that he was never told by Somers. Somers claims he doesn’t go off the record but during the testimony on ONE case alone he went off the record three times. Then we find out that his court reporter has actually modified/changed transcripts after the fact. Isn’t that against the law?? Maybe that’s three of the reasons the jury hit him personally with $200,000 in punitive damages. The city should garnish his wages for the $200,000 in punitive damages. I don’t believe lying is covered under the city’s insurance policy.
July 23rd, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Let’s not forget to tell the residents that the police and fire just received 3% raises while the rest of the city workers got zero! The police and fire don’t care if our taxes go up because 70% live out of town. I like the idea of a city income tax so that they can feel our pain too! They do a great job but if they care so much about the residents, move into Dearborn or forego your 3% increase. You can’t continue to have it both ways!! I don’t see how any milage increase will be approved with millions of dollars in lawsuits. Cut your losses and settle these cases before the interest and legal fees eat up more city services. Shame on everyone involved in not settling these years ago. Ego and arrogance is ruining this city. It’s time to change the leadership in this city starting with corporation counsel!
July 23rd, 2011 at 2:07 pm
GOOD OLD EXPLAIN AND BLAME SOMMERS.
Becki, your point is well taken but he has THREE MORE YEARS! We can’t even RECALL this guy, even after he has hurt so many, cost so much, and shown only remorse for losing, not his actions.
One would have thought he would at least act contrite for awhile and hoped this would blow past. Look at his “Open Letter” in the Press and Guide. “…my agenda is to offer a public apology for any negative outcome'” In other words, when I really accept that I have caused damage to others I will apologize for the unfortunate result.
The cost is mounting, but that’s not the true demon in the grass. This guy simply cannot understand or feel shame over the hurt he has caused others. He destroyed the career of three women without remorse. One a single mother of five.
He defiled another woman in his campaign literature. He filed spurious complaint after complaint against a respected judge. These are good hardworking people who simply had the temerity to stand up to him.
Now, instead of accepting his loss, he continues to justify his unlawful behavior. What would he do as a judge to a convicted defendant who continues to explain and blame for his behavior? Lack of remorse is the hallmark of a sociopath.
Now he turns on his old and dear friend the Mayor? The same guy who planted a Soomers sign in his lawn, and took some flack for it?
So the city is now responsible for failing to settle? Well, Judge Lawson disagreed when he sanctioned Sommers for $7500 for failing to mediate in good faith. Now Sommers simply lies.
Ask your council person who provided a massive memo encouraging them to reject the settlement?
The only recourse at this stage is the Judicial Tenure Commission. Anyone can access the website, anyone can file a complaint. News accounts can be considered. Sommers can help fill out the forms, he’s an expert. It can be done under the cloak of anonymity.
Enough is enough.
National news media is starting to focus on yet another negative story about Dearborn, This one will have legs as the last case could be the biggest.
We need to rehabilitate our image, pronto.
Ladies and Gentlemen of Dearborn, sharpen your pencils, and start your engines.