Fierce local scrutiny along with a bit of negative national attention four years ago were apparently not an indication of things to come at the 52-2 District Court in Clarkston.
Judge Kelley Kostin announced her support lasxt week for the reelection of Judge Dana Fortinberry.
Although the relationship began on a rocky note during Kostin’s election campaign in 2004, both judges said the past was long ago laid to rest.
‘The court is working very well right now,? Kostin said. ‘Judge Fortinberry and I share many of the same goals, we’re working together to achieve those goals, and that’s why I’m endorsing her.?
Kostin said the 2004 incident, which began when Fortinberry wrote a letter to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Association, is behind her.
One paragraph in the five-page letter, written to protest the organization’s endorsement process, referred to the 1989 death of Judy Kostin, then-wife of Clarkson attorney Bob Kostin. The death was ruled a suicide.
Bob Kostin is’and was in 2004’married to Kelley Kostin
The letter caused an uproar in the legal community by those who felt Fortinberry’s comments suggested foul play in the death after a police investigation reportedly revealed no evidence of wrongdoing.
Fortinberry was scrutinized and accused of unethical behavior by local’and later, national’media outlets.
At the time, and since, however, Fortinberry said her letter was incorrectly interpreted, and contends she did not believe the death was suspicious.
In January 2006, Fortinberry received public censure from the Michigan Supreme Court for inappropriate conduct.
Shortly thereafter, both Fortinberry and Kostin said things were running smoothly at the courthouse.
Both have the same message today.
‘There’s been an apology and we’ve put it behind us,? Kostin said. ‘I’m happy to endorse her.?
Kostin said over the past four years she and Fortinberry have worked together to develop, implement and improve court programs and make a number of important changes in courthouse operations.
Court in School and Teen Court are valuable programs, she said, as is the 52-2’s state-recognized Sobriety Court.
‘We’ve really taken the Sobriety Court program to new levels,? Kostin said. ‘It’s a strong program we feel is tremendously beneficial to the community.?
Fiscally, she said, the 52-2 is performing at an above-average level.
‘Judge Fortinberry and I sat down together and worked very diligently in facing the economic challenges of Oakland County,? Kostin said, noting the 52-2, like other district courts, had directives from county officials to institute cost saving measures where possible. ‘Our court is the most fiscally responsible Oakland County District Court by far.?
Fortinberry agreed, noting the two developed a two-fold strategy for balancing the court’s budget.
First, the court now strictly enforces a rule requiring offenders to pay all fines and costs on the day of sentence.
‘That’s reduced the court’s accounts receivables by over $350,000 since last June,? Fortinberry said, explaining the court was operating at nearly $1 million in the red when she arrived on the bench in 2002. ‘Today we’re balancing the budget and using taxpayer money efficiently, and that’s important. You not only have to be a judge, but be a manager of the court.?
Fortinberry said she and Kostin both believe the court is responsible for providing a high level of service to the community while protecting citizens from criminal behavior.
‘I’m very proud of the job Judge Kostin and I are doing together,? she said. ‘We are truly a team in every sense of the word, and I think that’s a great benefit to the citizens of our district. I’m thrilled to have her endorsement.?