Defense attorney and judge vie for postition on the municipal court

Both said they'd like to see a new or much-improved court facility.
YOUNGSTOWN -- If re-elected, Youngstown Municipal Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr. says he will continue to bring harmony and a spirit of cooperation to the court.
His challenger, defense attorney J. Jeffrey Limbian, said he wants to regain for the court's administrative functions the respect of the community, police and lawyers.
Limbian said the major issues in the race are inadequate and antiquated administrative functions; an inadequate probation department for 2,700 people on probation; a court system plagued with inefficiency and tardiness; modernizing and integrating the computer system into a countywide system; a viable night court; and inadequate facilities.
The challenger said he will commit to a full six-year term. Judge Douglas has denied reports that he would not serve out a full term.
Credentials: Limbian has served as Youngstown's city prosecutor and law director. He said he has significant court experience in 30 courts spread throughout six counties.
Judge Douglas spent most of his career as director of Mahoning County Department of Human Services, from which he retired in 1996.
Judge Douglas was appointed to the municipal bench when Louis K. Levy left for health reasons in late 1997 then was elected in 1999 to complete Levy's term.
The judge said his contributions include making the three-judge court more harmonious, more just and much improved. He said he has received encouragement from the black and Hispanic communities, believing that people from those communities want someone on the bench who resemblesthem and who will be firm but fair.
Judge Douglas said there has been a better sense of justice since he's been on the bench. He said there's a special rewarding feeling knowing that he helps people and is specially qualified to do so.
Judge Douglas said he'd like to see an improved court facility and has been working toward that goal. The three courts are small and offer no rooms for lawyers to meet with clients. When jury trials are held, jurors must use a vacant courtroom to deliberate or use city council chambers.
His priority is to oversee the new drug court and mental health docket.
Opponent: Limbian said he would improve the drug court, which has not developed in accord with the needs of the community.
Judge Douglas said he'd like to improve the overall administration of the court, complete the upgrades to its computerization and continue to improve the court's new positive image.