By Mike Coombes

I saw Judge Jill Heck twice recently.  I interviewed her to find out more about what she does. A judge must interpret the law. For example, if you hit someone, a judge has to look at all the circumstances in order to decide what to do. Judges also must work hard to keep their own opinions from affecting them.

Judge Heck started out as a teacher. In fact, she taught me while I saw at Buckeye an then she went to law school. After law school, she had her own private practice in Medina. She was County Prosecutor for awhile and was eventually appointed a domestic relations court judge by Governor Voinovich. Her term is six years long. Judge Heck started in 1997. She is now a probate judge and overseas juvenile court. Some of her duties as a probate judge are guardianships and estates. Estates belong to people who have passed away. She also does genealogy requests. In addition, she must oversee marriage licenses and name changes.

She also runs the New Horizons shelter as well as the Medina County Juvenile Detention Center. Most of the kids in juvenile court that she sees are Medina County residents. When a juvenile does something wrong, it’s not called a crime, it’s called delinquency. She also works with Medina County Job and Family Services social workers to ensure that children are in safe environments.

During the day, her bailiff does the schedule by subject. He helps move people in and out of the courtroom. He is also responsible for dealing with juries.

In juvenile court, she has magistrates who are people who have the power to make the same decisions that the judge does. There is a traffic magistrate, a delinquency magistrate as well. She schedules hearings four days a week and uses the fifth day of the week to catch up.

Judge Heck grew up in Parma and has two daughters. She likes to read and makes many public appearances. She attends St. Matthew Lutheran Church where she sings in the choir and teaches sixth grade Sunday school.

By Matt Isaac

Taco Bell is a fattening fast-food place,
So if you like to have a poor diet,
It is a good idea to stuff your face.
It is not really a riot,
When you consider all the facts,
So maybe it is good food your senses attracts.

The Nachos Supreme may have the refried beans,
The texture I don’t like,
So I just subtract that from the meal.
Whatever it means,
I can be so full I can’t hike
Up to the park’s lake to see the fish so real.

Taco Bell has the food that is never nutritious,
Such as the Chalupas,
The Gorditas,
Right off the tray, never any dishes.
I could eat out with my friends’ Mama’s and Papa’s
Along with their children, but too bad no Margaritas!

Eat the stuffed burritos,
Better than plain Cheetos,
The Enciritos,
Burning desire for Taco Salad,
If you are too full, too bad!
That would make you feel sad.

Remember, this large Mexican chain,
Is never a pain,
It’s a great weight gain.
People like to feel full,
Drink sugary sodas is the main,
Your happiness is no bull.