Korea RPCV Cliff Meneken is candidate for Marin Superior Court



Cliff Meneken believes the Marin courts are in need of reform because they are run by rich, powerful and well-connected judges who care more about their own well-being than the taxpayers they serve. For 12 years Meneken prosecuted unfair labor practices for the state Agricultural Labor Relations Board and for 10 years worked in labor and employment law for two Bay Area law firms. He said he litigated more than 20 trials and settled numerous complex, multi-million-dollar civil cases.

Korea RPCV Cliff Meneken is candidate for Marin Superior Court

Candidate sees need for reform in courts
Nancy Isles Nation

Cliff Meneken believes the Marin courts are in need of reform because they are run by rich, powerful and well-connected judges who care more about their own well-being than the taxpayers they serve.

Meneken, 61, is challenging Marin Superior Court Judge John Sutro, the only one of three judges who is contested on the June 6 election ballot. No one filed to oppose judges Lynn Duryee and Kelly Simmons.

Meneken seemed to come out of nowhere to land on the campaign trail. The county's judges say they don't know him, and he has not been a player among court critics.

But he sees himself as the answer to what some say is a wealthy, conservative bench that is out of touch with the middle class and other segments of Marin society.

Meneken, a labor attorney, said he has been interested in becoming a judge for a long time but part of the impetus was a hearing he observed along with several of his Terra Linda neighbors.

It involved a civil lawsuit filed by a single mother, who said her privacy had vanished when her neighbors built a second story on their house. Sutro heard the court case in April 2004 and ruled in favor of the couple, who had put the addition on their house in a flatland area where most of the neighbors live in Eichlers and other single-story homes.

Meneken thinks cronyism had something to do with Sutro's ruling and suspects the judge's mind wasn't completely open when he heard the case. He said he tried to file a brief on behalf of the neighborhood association in support of the plaintiff, but Sutro refused to accept it.

"Some of us attended the trial and at that time what surprised me and bothered me was his predisposition and bias seemed to be evident," Meneken said. "I've never heard of a judge refusing to accept an amicus brief - that was surprising to me and that's what agitated the crowd a bit."

The neighborhood association won a ban on second stories from the city of San Rafael, which made Meneken begin to question how Marin courts were run. "It's the powerful economic interests that control this county," Meneken said. "We need an outsider to move the court in the correct direction - not cronyism."

He thinks the role fits him - that he can bring fresh insight and clarity to the courts.

"Given the current system, when a governor appoints well-heeled political friends with pull, we would have to have reform of that system," Meneken said.

Sutro, a Republican appointed to the bench by then-Gov. Pete Wilson in 1993, has not been challenged in an election until now. He was a partner at Pillsbury, Madison and Sutro, the San Francisco law firm started by his grandfather, for 29 years before accepting the appointment.

Sutro admits that his friendships helped him get the job but has said he loves being a judge because he can help people.

Meneken, like Sutro before he became a judge, has experience as a lawyer but not as a judge. He said his background is more working class and well-rounded. He worked his way through college, earning a bachelor's degree from the University of California at Berkeley, a law degree from the University of San Francisco and a master's degree in U.S. history from Rutgers University.

After college, the former civil rights activist joined the Peace Corps and went to Korea.

"I viewed poverty and the problems of the world first-hand," Meneken said, adding that once back in the states, he joined what was then

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Vista, or Volunteers in Service to America.

"I've always been interested in important things in this country," Meneken said. In law school he clerked for California Supreme Court Justice Stanley Mosk, a liberal who championed individual rights.

For 12 years Meneken prosecuted unfair labor practices for the state Agricultural Labor Relations Board and for 10 years worked in labor and employment law for two Bay Area law firms.

He said he litigated more than 20 trials and settled numerous complex, multi-million-dollar civil cases.

Kathleen Russell of the Democratic Central Committee of Marin said the group has endorsed Meneken because it supports progressive Democrats who challenge incumbents.

"This is a nonpartisan race, but party affiliations do bring certain values to the bench that influence how judges treat cases - especially on the current Marin bench," Russell said. "It's healthy for democracy to have sitting incumbents challenged."

Russell said Meneken is equally or more qualified than some judges on the bench.

Marin National Women's Political Caucus also is recommending Meneken. The group said that Sutro did not respond to an invitation to submit an appllication for recommendation.

Sutro declined to comment for this article.

Meneken blames Sutro, as well as other Marin judges, for troubles in the court, including the failure to provide supervision of former court executive officer John Montgomery, who is facing felony charges of conflict-of-interest while on the job. "The changes (Presiding) Judge Lynn Duryee is making are mostly window dressing," Meneken said.

While Sutro is a GOP member, the bench as a whole doesn't indicate conservative or liberal leanings.

Five judges - Sutro, Stephen Graham, Terrence Boren, Michael Dufficy and Kelly Simmons - are registered Republicans. Four judges - James Ritchie, Verna Adams, Faye D'Opal and Vernon Smith - are Democrats. Duryee is an independent.

Besides, said Adams, party affiliation plays no part in interpreting the law.

"Being a judge is a nonpartisan office," Adams said. "Our job is to uphold the law - we put aside our own personal preference."

Meneken said he does not think his lack of experience on the bench is an issue because all judges are new in the beginning. "A lawyer usually can rapidly acquaint himself with particular areas of the law," Meneken said.

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Cliff Meneken

Age: 61

Home: Terra Linda

Occupation: Labor attorney

Education: Bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley; master's degree in U.S. history from Rutgers University; law degree from University of San Francisco.

Background: Married to his wife, Bonnie, for 22 years. Two children and one grandchild.

Key issue: Court reform and better representation.

Quote: "I respect the judicial system. My life experience and my legal experience uniquely qualify me to be a fair and impartial justice."

When this story was posted in April 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:




Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

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Rumor Mill: Vasquez to accept new appointment We have heard persistent rumors that Director Vasquez will soon be receiving a new position in the administration, perhaps a major ambassadorship. This is unsubstantiated although it comes from a credible source. The Peace Corps Press Office has had no comment. Initiatives and Accomplishments: Vasquez's major initiatives and accomplishments since becoming Peace Corps Director include: an agreement with Mexico in 2003 to host volunteers, sending RPCVs to work domestically in Hurricane relief after Katrina, emphasis on recruitment of minorities and of community college graduates, upgrading Peace Corps' infrastructure especially IT upgrades in the online application tracking process and the Volunteer Delivery System, an emphasis on safety and security of volunteers including the creation of a Situation Room at Peace Corps Headquarters, modifying Peace Corps' "Five Year Rule" for employment, and the expansion of the Peace Corps to its highest level in 30 years. He is the third longest serving Peace Corps Director after Ruppe Miller and Shriver. PCOL Comment: Although we have had our differences with the Director over the years and opposed his nomination in 2001, we think he is leaving a solid legacy of accomplishment. Director Vasquez, if these rumors turn out to be true, let us be the first to thank you for your service to the Peace Corps, congratulate you on your new appointment, and wish you good luck in your future endeavors.

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The Peace Corps Library The Peace Corps Library is now available online with over 40,000 index entries in 500 categories. Looking for a Returned Volunteer? Check our RPCV Directory. New: Sign up to receive PCOL Magazine, our free Monthly Magazine by email. Like to keep up with Peace Corps news as it happens? Sign up to recieve a daily summary of Peace Corps stories from around the world.

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PC Program in Chad temporarily suspended Director Vasquez announced the temporary suspension of the Peace Corps program in Chad on April 14 and that all 29 Peace Corps volunteers have left the country. With a program dating back forty years (See Page 4 of the April 1966 "Peace Corps Volunteer"), RPCVs hope that volunteers can return to Chad as soon as the situation has stabilized. Congratulations to the Peace Corps for handling the suspension quickly and professionally.

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Peace Corps stonewalls on FOIA request The Ashland Daily Tidings reports that Peace Corps has blocked their request for information on the Volkart case. "After the Tidings requested information pertaining to why Volkart was denied the position — on March 2 — the newspaper received a letter from the Peace Corps FOIA officer stating the requested information was protected under an exemption of the act." The Dayton Daily News had similar problems with FOIA requests for their award winning series on Volunteer Safety and Security.

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PCOL readership increases 100% Monthly readership on "Peace Corps Online" has increased in the past twelve months to 350,000 visitors - over eleven thousand every day - a 100% increase since this time last year. Thanks again, RPCVs and Friends of the Peace Corps, for making PCOL your source of information for the Peace Corps community. And thanks for supporting the Peace Corps Library and History of the Peace Corps. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come.

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History of the Peace Corps PCOL is proud to announce that Phase One of the "History of the Peace Corps" is now available online. This installment includes over 5,000 pages of primary source documents from the archives of the Peace Corps including every issue of "Peace Corps News," "Peace Corps Times," "Peace Corps Volunteer," "Action Update," and every annual report of the Peace Corps to Congress since 1961. "Ask Not" is an ongoing project. Read how you can help.

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PC announces new program in Cambodia Director Vasquez and Cambodia's Deputy Chief of Mission Meng Eang Nay announced a historic new partnership between the Peace Corps and the Kingdom of Cambodia that will bring volunteers to this Southeast Asian country for the first time. Under King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodia has welcomed new partnerships with the U.S. government and other U.S. organizations.

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Top Stories: March 23, 2006 Peace Corps celebrates 45th Anniversary 9 Mar Celeste joins Stonebridge International 21 Mar Spain plans Peace Corps 20 Mar Rita Botts learns about living in layers in Ukraine 18 Mar Melanie Boyer writes "About Last Night" 17 Mar Pat Waak files campaign complaint 15 Mar Tom Bissell is a 'Yooper' 15 Mar Toledo keeps Peru's dispute with Yale in the public eye 14 Mar Lack of teachers for 'Critical Languages' 14 Mar Keith and Jenny Gelber met as PCVs in Zambia 10 Mar Bush presents award to Amber Davis-Collins 9 Mar Brian Singer founded Project Zawadi 9 Mar Christopher R. Hill speaks on East Asia in Transition 9 Mar Edmund Hull says patience will win war on terrorism 7 Mar Miriam Gray reconnects with Brazil RPCV after 40 years 5 Mar Ashley Tsongas keynotes Women's Week Breakfast 5 Mar Sari Long says PC has much to teach us 3 Mar Dana Priest calls for Peace Corps for the 21st Century 4 Mar Vasquez says PC needs to be more racially diverse 4 Mar Peace Corps Fund ready for first round of grants 2 Mar Shriver Peaceworkers Celebrate 12 Years 1 Mar White House plans to close Americorps NCCC Program 1 Mar

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Peace Corps suspends program in Bangladesh Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez announced the suspension of the Peace Corps program in Bangladesh on March 15. The safety and security of volunteers is the number one priority of the Peace Corps. Therefore, all Peace Corps volunteers serving in Bangladesh have safely left the country. More than 280 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Bangladesh since the program opened in November 1998. Latest: What other newspapers say.

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Invitee re-assigned after inflammatory remarks The Peace Corps has pulled the invitation to Derek Volkart to join the Morocco Training Program and offered him a position in the Pacific instead after officials read an article in which he stated that his decision to join the Peace Corps was in "response to our current fascist government." RPCV Lew Nash says that "If Derek Volkart spoke his mind as freely in Morocco about the Moroccan monarchy it could cause major problems for himself and other Peace Corps volunteers." Latest: Volkart reverses stance, takes new assignment in Paraguay.

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RPCV admits to abuse while in Peace Corps Timothy Ronald Obert has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor in Costa Rica while serving there as a Peace Corps volunteer. "The Peace Corps has a zero tolerance policy for misconduct that violates the law or standards of conduct established by the Peace Corps," said Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez. Could inadequate screening have been partly to blame? Mr. Obert's resume, which he had submitted to the Peace Corps in support of his application to become a Peace Corps Volunteer, showed that he had repeatedly sought and obtained positions working with underprivileged children. Read what RPCVs have to say about this case.

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Military Option sparks concerns The U.S. military, struggling to fill its voluntary ranks, is allowing recruits to meet part of their reserve military obligations after active duty by serving in the Peace Corps. Read why there is opposition to the program among RPCVs. Director Vasquez says the agency has a long history of accepting qualified applicants who are in inactive military status. John Coyne says "Not only no, but hell no!" and RPCV Chris Matthews leads the debate on "Hardball." Avi Spiegel says Peace Corps is not the place for soldiers while Coleman McCarthy says to Welcome Soldiers to the Peace Corps. Read our poll results. Latest: Congress passed a bill on December 22 including language to remove Peace Corps from the National Call to Service (NCS) military recruitment program

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Why blurring the lines puts PCVs in danger When the National Call to Service legislation was amended to include Peace Corps in December of 2002, this country had not yet invaded Iraq and was not in prolonged military engagement in the Middle East, as it is now. Read the story of how one volunteer spent three years in captivity from 1976 to 1980 as the hostage of a insurrection group in Colombia in Joanne Marie Roll's op-ed on why this legislation may put soldier/PCVs in the same kind of danger. Latest: Read the ongoing dialog on the subject.

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