Bench Press Probate Court, as well as numer judges, lawyers "and, of course, family and friends." Diane D'Agostini As the _primary race for 48th District Court nears an end, candidates emphasize their qualifications — and their differences. Diane D'Agostini Barbara Smith Dana Baskin Neil Colman Ronald Graham Since .1991, Diane D'Agostini h served as an Oakland County ass' prosecutor. She's handled a spectr cases from investigating civil and infractions at the district court le murder, rape, domestic violence armed robbery cases in the circuit Currently, she is head of the par appeal unit, blocking the release of criminals, unless they can prove tha have met stringent criteria for releas "I have learned a great deal fr crime victims I've helped," D'Ag said. "It's given me a unique pers tive. When you work on a case w child has been molested, you wa see justice served. "Having seen everything I have prosecutor will benefit the comm D'Agostini, who passed the b 1991, met her husband while wo as a law clerk. The couple's two c dren are aged 4'/2 and 19 month Working with youth, she ment risk students at West Bloomfield School, speaks about drug prevent' and participates in career day activi This is an involvement she'd like to tinue as judge, bringing courts into schools and students into the court In 1998, D'Agostini ran for 4 District Court Judge against Kim Small, whom she now praises as "doing an outstanding job." This D'Agostini has been one of the visible campaigners in the prima field. Her candidacy has been endorsed by Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca and J McBurney, assistant principal at Bloomfield High School; Hedy N of HAVEN Women's Shelter; the Police Officers Association of Michigan; and the Oakland Cou Deputy Sheriffs Association. . . DIANA LIE B ERIvIAN Staff Writer Iiirl hoever receives the most votes in the Aug. 8 pri- mary race for Michigan's 48th District Court, dis- trict residents can't lose. Earlier this month, the Oakland County Bar Association evaluated the five candidates running for the non- partisan judicial seat to be vacated by retiring Judge Gus Cifelli. Attorney Ronald Graham received the top rat- ing of "outstanding" while the four other candidates — Dana Baskin, Neil Colman, Diane D'Agostini and Barbara Smith — received the second- highest rating: "well-qualified." The 48th District Court serves Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, West Bloomfield, Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake and Orchard Lake. Although the Aug. 8 primary will result in two names to be placed on the ballot for the November general elec- tion, each voter may vote for only one candidate on Aug. 8. The district court judges serve for six years. The annual salary for this year was $118,285; there is a possibility of a raise for 2001. Dana Baskin QIN 7/28 2000 20 Dana Baskin has based her campaign on protecting the rights of women and chil- dren. A practicing attorney since 1985, she works with her father, attorney Henry Baskin, and specializes in family law. Baskin said she is uniquely qualified to deal with spousal abuse and domes- tic violence cases. "I understand the abuser; I've seen the abused," she said. "This is not something you can recog- nize without experience in talking with women who have been abused." Soft-spoken but emphatic, Baskin decided to seek the 48th District Court seat because "it was time to bring my skills into the public arena, in terms of resolving disputes quickly and efficiently. I can do this most effectively on the bench." This is her first campaign for public office. Baskin emphasized that those who live in affluent communities, are not exempt from domestic violence, and alcohol or drug abuse. "I believe it's very important for district court judges to-be able to administer equal justice," she . said. "I frankly wouldn't have any prob- lem sentencing a teen on drunk driving." Baskin, who is married and has two young children, said she is committed to ensuring safe neighborhoods. "I want to be able to say to my kids, `You can go out and play.' I don't feel as comfortable saying it as I'd like to." Neil Colman Neil Colman has put in the most mileage of the five candidates — in more ways than one. An attorney in general practice for more than 28 years, he spent 26 of those years as a partner in the firm of Colman and Goodman, P.C., located in Macomb County. Colman has served as mediator, arbi- trator and facilitator in civil and family law cases in both Oakland and Macomb counties. He provides free legal services in both counties and is a member of the attorney discipline board. 'As a judge, oftentimes you're going to know somebody who is going to appear before you," he said. "You have to set that aside. These individuals have to know you are there to serve the entire community — not just their interests." Colman is married and has two sons, ages 11 and 12, who attend the Birmingham Public Schools and Temple Shir Shalom. He said the boys tease him about his work hours. "My children say to me, 'If you get to be judge, does that mean we can have dinner together?'" Although he has handled every- thing from civil infractions to trials, Colman said 60 percent of his cases are now in family law. "As a result of doing this kind of work, you get a keen understanding of human nature," he said. "I can look at clients and tell what's bothering them, know their scenario before they get a chance to tell me about it themselves. You only get that with experience." Colman ran against Judge Cifelli in 1994. "I felt there was possibly a change needed, to have people on the bench who were more representative of the demographics of the communi- ty," Colman said. However, he added, Cifelli was "one of the kindest, most benevolent jurists we've had." Colman cites as his supporters Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Kathleen Jansen, Judge Antonio Viviano of the Macomb County ' . Ronald Graham Listed in Who's Who in American Ronald Graham looks at the worl through the analytical eyes of an a ney with 24 years' experience. Although his practice is now la in civil litigation, Graham's early e rience was in the area of family la He still lectures on legal and ethi issues and is a columnist on famil and general law. Graham has been a court medi and settlement facilitator and, sin 1981, general counsel to Detroit Country Day School in Beverly H .