by Mark Kouris

GUEST COLUMNIST

I was angered and offended by an April 18 article that ran in the Salt Lake Tribune that baselessly alleged the Tooele County Courthouse was a "less desirable location among judges." Nothing could be further from the truth.

Two years ago, when I first arrived in Tooele, Judge Randall Skanchy was departing. He confided in me that his time in the Tooele Court was unquestionably one of the highlights of his long and distinguished legal career. At judges' conferences and events, other judges who have spent time in Tooele seek me out to share with me their love for this community and their positive experiences in Tooele.

My experience here has been no different. As a lawyer, I was a front-line prosecutor for Salt Lake County and then worked in the federal system. I can say, without reservation, that the Tooele courthouse operates at an equal or higher professional level than did any other courthouse in which I have worked.

In any organization or establishment, the only palpable difference between greatness and mediocrity is the people. Tooele is no exception. Doug Hogan, the Tooele County Attorney, and Mr. Gary Searle, the lead prosecutor, operate the best criminal shop in the state. The public defenders, Chelsea Koch and John Williams, provide the highest quality criminal defense our state has to offer. Holly Johnson, the originator and director of the victims advocate program, communicates and comforts injured and hurting victims and families of victims at a level that larger cities could only dream of. Mike Hansen, chief of Tooele Adult Parole and Probation, and his agents constantly succeed in providing the highest level of service while protecting and assisting the citizens of Tooele County. Lieutenant Jerry Mora, who operates the Tooele County jail, is tough when needed but also treats prisoners with respect and dignity. Sometimes, Lt. Mora has even worked to help former prisoners find employment to give them the best chance of success. Finally, Terry Bates and the drug court staff operate one of the most successful drug courts in the state. Unlike the other state drug courts, ours receives no state funding, yet we constantly watch as lifelong drug addicts turn their lives, and the lives of their families, into something great.

For those of you who have visited the new courthouse, you will have noticed that it is one of the finest in the country. But more important is the very busy staff that makes it run. Valerie Barrett and her staff are the cream of the crop. If you have dealt with our court on any level, you will immediately notice the professionalism, courtesy and efficiency with which your matter is dealt.

Last, and certainly not least, are the citizens of Tooele County. It is such a welcome change to see people who genuinely care and worry about the community in which they live. Rightfully so, people take pride that they are from Tooele County.

I would like to personally thank the residents of Tooele County. They have all treated my court, my amazing staff and myself with the utmost in courtesy and respect. Not everyone can agree on everything that happens in a courtroom. By definition there will be winners and losers. Even so, the people continue to be understanding and kind, and I thank you for that.

Understand that this Tribune article is nothing more than a reporter trying to sell newspapers. If someone tells you that Tooele "is a less desirable location among judges," take it from a judge and his colleagues, they are dead wrong.

Mark Kouris is a judge with the 3rd District Court in Tooele. He is leaving Tooele after two years to hear cases for the court in West Jordan.