THE VERDICT IS IN

Thank goodness for Chief Circuit Judge Rodgers' comments and the Record
Eagle's editorial "Our view" dated Nov. 17 regarding Tom Gilbert's behavior.
Now the local bar association has also stepped up to the plate and dared to
take a stand for what is right, ("Bar board calls for Gilbert to resign,"
Record-Eagle, Nov. 22, 2002).

As a voter, taxpayer and mother of three, I would like to ask Tom Gilbert to
step down immediately, with no tricky severance package to help him continue
to fund his disgusting damage control campaign.

Apologies are nice, but rather meaningless when not accompanied by his
resignation.

In this case the verdict is in. Tom Gilbert has proven by his actions,
beyond a reasonable doubt, that he does not belong on the bench.

He should step down immediately and work to rebuild his reputation and
career on his own time and not at the taxpayers' expense.

Brenda Irish Heintzelman

Traverse City