Judge Somers says he’s not ‘running from decisions’
Judge Mark Somers
District Judge Mark Somers pens a column in this weekend’s Dearborn Press & Guide, directing his comments at Dearborn lawyer Morris Goodman who earlier called for his resignation in an earlier column in the paper.
Somers doesn’t change his position on any of the earlier decisions he has made.
“I’m not running from decisions I made four and five years ago,” he writes. “The first: Eliminate a position everyone knew we didn’t need. Replace a $67,000-a-year “deputy” administrator with a $40,000 executive secretary. For the 12 years we had an “assistant/deputy” administrator instead of a secretary, we spent $230,000 more than we should have in base salary alone. Isn’t eliminating wasteful government spending a good thing?”
Somers ends his open letter with these words and invites all readers of the Press and Guide to come to the courthouse and see how things are run rather than relying on a column from a lawyer who once endorsed him.:
“Regardless of your opinion of the outcome or of who among us has done the real damage, at least give me my due for positive achievements on the bench. I’ve handled over 20,000 criminal misdemeanor and 2,000 felony cases and thousands more civil matters with only 3 decisions reversed on appeal, presided over the drug court since 2005 and conducted more jury trials than any other Dearborn judge. The last five years, I’ve collected more than $812,000 more in fines, costs and restitution than one of my colleagues and more than $1,394,000 more than the other. Since 2005, I’ve sentenced offenders to 25,143 days service on the “alternative workforce,” saving $880,000 in jail costs while providing valuable services from cleaning parks and roadways to helping the animal shelter and shoveling snow for seniors. (The other two judges combined for 9,737 days since 2005 and only 116 days this year, effectively abandoning use of this valuable program.) . . .”
I will continue to work, I will continue to toil and I will continue to serve.
Regards,
Judge Mark Somers
For the entire letter, click HERE.
July 23rd, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Obviously the Attorney General and City have absolutely no client control. When will somebody shut this guy up? Everytime he opens his mouth he costs the city more money. Backrooms deals? Is he taking about the backroom deal with the prosecutors office to take the Terry Jones case? Or, is he taking about the backroom deal to hire his buddy’s nephew (at a higher salary and more time off than any new city employee) who was recently fired from another court because the judges didn’t trust him? Now he’s bragging about having more jury trials than the other judges. Don’t jury trials cost more money for the court than a bench trial? Did you ever think it was because the lawyers and litigants don’t trust him? Now he wants to be rewarded for his postive achievements. Isn’t that the job he was elected to do? I have a feeling that very soon he will have plenty of time to volunteer at the shelter and shovel snow for the seniors.
July 23rd, 2011 at 2:24 pm
Of course he does not change his position, because he truly feels that what he did was right, which shows how incompetent he really is. He’s like a little boy in the sandbox, trying to make sure that all the other kids see that his toys are better and that he can better than them. What he really is doing is trying to convince himself…. Kind of like Napoleon, until he got wiped away by his cockiness! Lastly, who wants to waste valuable time at the court house watching his antics ??? I’ve much better things to do with my time. I’d rather see people’s energies directed towards getting rid of this clown! Adios, Adieu, Arrivederci !!!
July 23rd, 2011 at 2:29 pm
“I’m not running from decisions I made four and five years ago.” What about the decision you made six months ago that triggered another EEOC – discrimination/retaliation case against you? My what a short memory you have. Now that you are blaming your lawyers for losing both cases for you are you going to hire your own lawyer and pay for it out of your pocket? Maybe you should represent yourself because you are so smart.
July 23rd, 2011 at 2:50 pm
Ralph Waldo Emerson said “Every violation of truth is not only a sort of suicide in the liar, but is a stab at the health of human society.”
Mark Somers said that putting a biblical passage on court letterhead was one of those “what was I thinking” moments. In the calvas trial he stated that he simply used the “wrong template.” Which is it????
Michel Eyquem De Montaigne said “Lying is a terrible vice, it testifies that one despises God, but fears men.”
July 23rd, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Shame and Blame Sommers will never get it.
It’s almost amusing to read, if it weren’t so sad.
If this were the Mayor, or a councilperson they would be long gone.
Imagine Mayor O’Reilly costing us millions in order to settle a personal score. Imagine Tom Tafelski preaching the gospel at a council meeting. We’d cart them off like yesterday’s news.
Judges have so little focus on their day to day activities that they are completely unaccountable to the electorate until they set off a nuclear bomb like this one. Too bad the fallout is not complete.
His fifteen minutes of fame have cost us about $250K per minute thus far. Time to shut him up and down.
There can be no voter recalls of Judges. He has three more years to spread around his craziness.
The only hope is the Judicial Tenure Commission. Per their website anyone can lodge a complaint. News stories are taken into account. Complaints can be anonymous.
For further instruction call Sommers. He is an expert at filing JTC Complaints.
Ten impartial jurors awarded substantial punitive damages on three separate counts. They were trying hard to send a message.
Since Sommers clearly did not get the message, we need to. Now.
July 23rd, 2011 at 3:11 pm
You have the unmitigated gall to recite your statistics to the people, on how u have brought in so much revenue with your rulings, and revenue for the City but you forgot one thing you exercise no common sense. You have the attitude that u can print your little preache-like sayings on letterhead paper — exactly who do u think u are? The people waant just and fair rulings, not a munckin like approach like u, keeping stats on your rulings, does this make u feel like u are a big man with power, I believe it just goes to show what a little insecure person u are. Take heed little man, because Morris Goodman may not have been right in taking a shot at u, but the people are going to be giving u a lot of shots,when its time to vote, trust me.
July 23rd, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Well Well Pee Wee Heman Somers, had to try and save his ass, with his version on how people are picking on him. The people now know what a pompous little turd you really are. O’Reilly can’t save you, and the people in this City haven gotten to see (as a result of the lawsuits), what kind of people skills you actually possess. You obviously think that you are above the law in your rulings, saying that you personally fee that the current medical marihauna law isn’t legal, however,you will be getting slapped down in the near future, with other upcoming lawsuits, who do you feel that you are judge and jury as far as laws are concerned. You simply are a frustrated little man, who wanted to bask in the sun, with your little robe –good luck little man, because you are going to need it, as you are on your way out.
July 23rd, 2011 at 3:55 pm
At $130,000 per year, plus benefits, plus verdicts, we could’ve saved about THREE MILLION DOLLARS by not hiring Somers, so if he can justify discrimination and retaliation for a cost savings of about $25,000, then by simple math he was a horrific investment, worst single judge in Michigan history for cumulative vedicts.
I know we border Detroit, but this competition for the most costly and corrupt politics is a lower overall. Kwame in a black robe.
July 23rd, 2011 at 4:01 pm
Do you ever look in the mirror and see what a truly little person you are? After reading your blog you must be very insecure inasmuch as you have to tell us what you have done while on the bench. Do you think by comparing your stats to the other 2 judges makes you a bigger man than they, when in reality your may be on your best day half the man or judge they are. I have personally been in your court, and seen how you run your court, with your little curt smart-allecky remarks, and sarcastic smile. Believe me you are nothing more than a little neophyte, with a robe that you obviously don’t deserve. Do us residents of Dearborn a favor, and step down, which incidentally shouldn’t be too large a step, since you aren’t that high off the ground. All you do is keep costing us residents money, so personally you and your friend Claraabell O’Reilly should beat it.
July 23rd, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Continue to work and serve us Mark Somers thats a complete joke. You call what you have done serving the people of Dearborn, by picking on female employees in your court, your not serving me, you bible-thumping idiot.
July 23rd, 2011 at 4:23 pm
After reading your comments on what a good job you are doing for the residents of Dearborn you would think you should be given a raise — did you however forget how much you are costing us so far with your record regarding the lawsuits against you. I hope you have insurance, or you should apply with your kids for the free lunch program, after the courts get done with your lawsuits that have been brought against you. You obviously sided with the big blowhard down the street (at Michigan & Schaefer), and trust me with all the heat you guys are going to be getting the big blowhard will sell you out. Be a man and be responsible for the monetary rulings against you with your insurance, but you aren’t a man, you will try and push this off to the residents, I’m sure.
July 23rd, 2011 at 6:14 pm
You sound like you are in love with yourself, after reading your stats, but I think its only to cover for your ineptitude. You are a very insecure little guy, or simply an idiot looking for a little compassion, which you will never get from the people of Dearborn because now they have seen for themselves what you really are, and that is a hypocrite, and a bumbling idiot. Why don’t you stop making excuses, and just admit that you are incompetent, and the higher courts are agreeing that you don’t know how to run a court, simply because you must be a woman-hater, but undfortunately you are costing us residents a ton of money. Do everybody a favor, take a real look at yourself, and see what a creep you really are.
July 23rd, 2011 at 9:48 pm
You feel that you have served the people of Dearborn well, then you must be a self-serving creep. You talk about getting a bang for our buck, then you owe us an awful lot. Obviously you must be brain-dead if you think the residents should be thankful for the way you conduct yourself in court, afterall we are a very affluent community in your mind — do us all a real favor and bend over, so we can show you how proud we are of you. By the way take the robe off next time you are in court, because you aren’t worthy to wear it.
July 23rd, 2011 at 11:28 pm
You know what else Dearborn ???? Read again his article and see how proud he is that he has collected so much more than the other 2 judges.. I guess we can say that he was collecting his loot to pay off the offenses against him! He’s proud of what he is “charging” the citizens… I am not sure how it works, but doesn’t the Judge have control over the amount of the offense? Perhaps the other 2 judges were just more fair, humane, civil and honest????? Way to go Dearborn.. you did not know at the time that you were hiring in Zacchaeus the tax collector at the time… The only difference between Somers and Zacchaeus is that down the road, Zacchaeus changed his tune and came to his senses…..There you go Somers, you religious zealot… can you see how many examples of YOU are in the Bible??? You remind me of Lucifer.. but thankfully, even he was defeated in the end…
July 24th, 2011 at 12:04 am
Zuck you hit it on the nose, this little creep obviously feels it everbody’s fault but his, and for that reason alone he should be forced to step down by the judicial tenure commission, but then they would lose their main informant. He likes to meddle in everybody’s business, when he should look no further than his courtroom or house, because he continually show everyone how rotten this little termite tries to be, especially against females in general. The statistics he illustrated just how goofy his really is, when he should have been apologizing to all women for his shortcomings.
July 24th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
I have read the articles and comments regarding Mark Somers and did my own research and the evidence is stacked against the judge. He is a sociopath- does not velieve he has done anything wrong, feels no remorse and say he would do it the same way all all over again. He says he loves his job, so he must believe in the system unless it works against him.
Someone get the man a copy of the Constitution of the United State; Somers needs a refresher course.
Obviously he feels the need to prove himself at the cost of three women (more to come) and the City of Dearborn. The few comments I have seen supporting the judge really need to research the facts before they open their mouths.
Shame on you Mark Somers! Didn’t your parents teach you right from wrong and how lies hurt and ruin peoples lives?
July 24th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
My tax bill came in the mail the other day…it read “Somer Tax Bill.”
July 24th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
This little boy in a man’s body never ceases to amaze me. His decisions have cost the city millions with so much more to come. Let’s not forget Terry Jones, one pending lawsuit, one pending EEOC complaint, christian missionaries, medical marijuana etc. If thats not enough now his secretary is now featured in a reality tv series. You may want to remind her that she works in a courthouse and not a play ground. It would also behoove you to be an impartial judge and ask her to refrain from hugging all the defendants! Her time would be better spent looking for files instead of walking around the court asking people to sign releases for her new show. You may want to monitor her work computer as well. I don’t believe emails should be sent out referring to the vagina monologes. My message to both of you is your 15 minutes of fame is up!!
July 24th, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Did u ever hear of seperating church and state, obviously not because you violate this all the times I’ve had a case in your courtroom. I just can’t believe what an ignoramus u must be to keep a tally of how much u have handed out in fines, and the number of jury trials u have handled, as this just makes u look like the fool that u really are. By the way I can’t wait for u to run for office again, and to see u go door to door again, as I’m sure u will get a few showers along the way.
July 25th, 2011 at 1:49 am
I give Somers credit for at least standing up for what he believes in. We may not all agree with this actions but he doesn’t waver because of public opinion. I respect that. He isn’t waiting for a opinion poll to determine what he should do next or a survey. He does what he believes is right. Not a lot of people like that around no matter what you feel about him. No, I don’t know the man but I did vote for him and I would again. As for the big jury verdicts, I say look at the jury. These were Wayne County verdicts. No such thing would have happened in Oakland, Macomb or any other county in Michigan. Is it any wonder most civil trials either settle before going to a Wayne County jury (if possible) or lawyers try to get them moved to another venue (if possible). if Somers decides to appeal these verdicts they will not hold up, at least not the crazy amounts of money Wayne County doled out.
July 25th, 2011 at 2:47 am
Oh, I see Somers got another person on his payroll! You are an idiot, just like the rest of his payroll! You give him credit for standing up in what he believes in ???????????? Should we give credit to Hitler, Saddam, Mussolini, and those alike?? They stood up for what they believed in, and look what happened! He really shouldn’t wait for an opinion poll, because it is not coming and there will be nothing favorable for him when it is said and done! Go ahead, vote for him again ignoramus and open up your pocketbook! As for the crazy amounts, please remember FOOL, that he had the chance to settle them first, yet his FOOLISHNESS and cockiness told him not to…. Great Leader we have! Go, Read on before you blither!
July 25th, 2011 at 2:49 am
You have GOT TO BE KIDDING????????? What is next??? Leave town Somers!
July 25th, 2011 at 2:49 am
What was your payment, $500/year, at least?:”
July 25th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
Abuse of power and religion has to stop do the honorable thing Somers and step down
July 25th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
I have unfortunatley sat in Somer’s courtroom before and i have never been so bored having to listen to his long demeaning speeches to people
July 25th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
The first trial he lost was in Wayne County, before the very respected Judge Stempien. The second trial was in Federal Court, before Judge David Lawson, another extremely well respected judge. I have years of experience in these courts, and can say that there is nothing to suggest a run-away jury scenerio. The Court of Appeals had already ruled that Ms. Pucci was denied due process (as a matter of law) by Judge Somers in the manner in which he terminated her. The only real issue was whether she was an at will employee, and guess what, the jury didn’t believe Judge Somers’ testimony that she was terminable at his whim. I disagree – these verdicts will likely stand, and with interest and attorney fees will be a huge burden on the Dearborn taxpayer, at a time we are closing our pools and libraries.
Its a shame that the City didn’t settle these years ago, but when you read about how Judge Lawson sanctioned the City for not engaging in good faith mediation, I guess its no surprise that the Law Department’s advice is to kick the can down the road, and see what happens.
Get them settled, now!
July 25th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
RJP after reading the remarks Somers obviously wrote for you, you are showing what a complete idiot you are. If you say you would vote for him again, you are a complete imbissle. Are you a woman hater also? This guy couldn’t find a friend to write something like you wrote for him, so you must be an employee of his, or a relative. Why don’t you do a favor for everyone in Dearborn, and hit the bricks by leaving town you ingrate. People like you and Somers are morons, and the sooner you two idiots leave town the better off our community will be, at least we will be saving money because of the payouts that have awarded thusfar.
July 25th, 2011 at 8:29 pm
You are a disgrace to the legal community do the right thing before thr right thing is done for you RESIGN.
July 26th, 2011 at 11:00 pm
This is exactly what I was talking about. Don’t comment if you don’t have anything intelligent to say.
Anyone who stands up for their beliefs should be proud. But when you are the Chief Judge and Administrator you have to act within the law. If anyone should be commended it is the three women for standing up for themselves and all women.
Don’t kid yourself the verdict will stand and any other county would have come back with a larger verdict.
Somers likes to put out the smoke screen. He has a dual personality one- Mr. Nice Guy and the real man that many have come to know- the sociopath.
Somers do all a favor and leave gracefully, that would be the most noble thing to do.
July 27th, 2011 at 2:03 am
I heard it all now. Judge principles and ethics is allowing his secretary to film a series on “Muslims in America” at the courthouse??? No wonder she refers to some as “those white people.” I hope you don’t need to get ahold of Judge Somers this week because he allowed his secretary to be off when no-one else will be in the office. She’ll be available via text but please “no calls during her press conference.” Hopefully the media will show up and see how his calls will not be answered. GREAT PUBLIC SERVICE!! Hopefully no-one has an emergency and needs an adjournment. How many vacation days do court employees get anyway?? I sure hope Terry Jones doesn’t come in because she won’t be available to sit in court.
July 27th, 2011 at 2:03 am
I heard it all now. Judge principles and ethics is allowing his secretary to film a series on “Muslims in America” at the courthouse??? No wonder she refers to some as “those white people.” I hope you don’t need to get ahold of Judge Somers this week because he allowed his secretary to be off when no-one else will be in the office. She’ll be available via text but please “no calls during her press conference.” Hopefully the media will show up and see how his calls will not be answered. GREAT PUBLIC SERVICE!! Hopefully no-one has an emergency and needs an adjournment. How many vacation days do court employees get anyway?? I sure hope Terry Jones doesn’t come in because she won’t be available to sit in court.
July 30th, 2011 at 8:14 pm
Hang in there, Judge Somers. Your court enemies may be about to go out in flames due to a MUCH bigger investigation into corruption in Wayne county.
July 31st, 2011 at 11:01 pm
The big ivestigation that is currently taking place, and your gas station friends — all I can say is BE WARE.
August 1st, 2011 at 1:14 pm
And the other judge who has even more gas station friends…