Local
Four Marion County small-claims judges expected at renter-rights forum
Four township judges are scheduled to take part in a forum Oct. 28 hosted by the Greater Indianapolis Multifaith Alliance. All nine Marion County small-claims judges are on the ballot this year, with eight running unopposed.
Four Marion County township small-claims judges are expected at a public forum Wednesday, Oct. 28, hosted by the Greater Indianapolis Multifaith Alliance, a nonprofit that advocates for renters’ rights.
The forum is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Castleton United Methodist Church, 7101 Shadeland Ave. Judges Kimberly Bacon of Lawrence Township, Garland Graves of Warren Township, Steven Poore of Washington Township and A. Douglas Stephens of Pike Township have agreed to participate.
All nine judges who preside over Marion County’s township small-claims courts are up for reelection this year. The courts handle eviction cases and civil disputes involving less than $10,000, and judges serve four-year terms.
Eight judges are running unopposed. The exception is Perry Township, where Republican Judge Cheryl Rivera faces Democrat Jami Sayeed. Rivera assumed office in 2019. Sayeed did not respond to a request for comment about the forum.
The other unopposed candidates are Wayne Township Judge Gerald Coleman, Franklin Township Judge John A. Kitley, Decatur Township Judge Jonathan Sturgill and Center Township Judge Brenda Roper. The five judges who had not agreed to attend—Coleman, Kitley, Rivera, Sturgill and Roper—did not respond to inquiries about their plans.
The judges’ roles in eviction proceedings make the courts a consequential part of the local housing system. The forum offers residents an opportunity to hear from some of the officials seeking another term before the November election.