Statesman Journal mini-questionnaire for 2012 General Election Thank you for responding to this questionnaire, which is for

use by Statesman Journal Editorial Board members in evaluating candidates for potential endorsements in the Nov. 6 General Election. Your answers also will be shared with reporters and may be published in the print newspaper and on StatesmanJournal.com. If you completed our questionnaire for the primary season, youll notice that some requested information is similar. We ask you to provide it again in case any of your previous data or answers have changed. (If you cant find a copy of your previous answers, let us know and well gladly send one.) Please answer each question and return this questionnaire to the Editorial Board via email as an attached Word document. The boards email address: Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com Deadline for submitting your questionnaire: 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, or earlier.
Questions? Contact Editorial Page Editor Dick Hughes, 503-399-6727, dhughes@StatesmanJournal.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your name: Norman Hill Age: 45

(If your age will change before the Nov. 6 election, please indicate your birthday. We want to make sure we use accurate ages in editorials and news coverage. )

Political party (if this is a partisan office): Not Applicable Position you are seeking (name of position, district number): Polk County Circuit Court Judge, 12th Judicial District, Position 3 I plan to attend the editorial board meeting scheduled for: October 10 Number of years living in the area you seek to represent: I have lived in the Salem area for over 20 years. I have lived in Polk County for over 8 years.

Do you affirm that you are a full-time resident of that area? Yes City/town of residence: West Salem Family (name of spouse/partner, number and ages of children if at home, number of grown children): Wife of 21 years: Tina Children: Katie age 15, Greg age 13 Education: BA, (Political Science) California State University Long Beach JD, Willamette University College of Law Current occupation and employer: Polk County Circuit Judge; Oregon Judicial Department Military service: None Employment history: Circuit Court Judge, Polk County Partner, Martinis and Hill Partner, Webb, Martinis and Hill Associate Attorney, Webb and Martinis Law Clerk, Polk County District Attorneys Office Law Clerk, United States Attorneys Office 2012-Present 2005-2012 2001-2005 1994-2001 1993-1994 1992-1993

Community involvement/volunteer history:

President, West Salem Little League Vice President, West Salem Rotary Volunteer Coach: Boys and Girls Club, West Salem Little League, Mid-Valley Pop Warner Team Leader and Board Member, Willamette Valley Inns of Court Member, Dallas Chamber of Commerce Member, Monmouth/ Independence Chamber of Commerce Adjunct Professor, Willamette University College of Law Moderator, Judson Baptist Church

Please list all public offices to which youve been elected, and when: None Please list any unsuccessful candidacies for public office, and when: None Other prior political and government experience: City of Salem Judicial Compensation Committee Construction Contractors Board, Home Inspection Advisory Committee How much your general election campaign will cost: Approximately $40,000 Key endorsements you have received: Judicial Endorsements: Paul DeMuniz, former Chief Justice, Oregon Supreme Court Monte Campbell, Polk County Circuit Court Judge William Horner, Polk County Circuit Court Judge Sally Avera, Polk County Circuit Judge Elect Charles E. Luukinen, Senior Judge, retired Polk County Presiding Judge Rick McCormick, Senior Judge, retired Linn County Presiding Judge James C. Egan, Linn County Circuit Court Judge DeAnn Novotny, Linn County Circuit Court Judge Jamese Rhoades, Marion County Presiding Judge Don Dickey, Senior Judge, retired Marion County Judge Lindsay Partridge, Marion County Circuit Judge Vance Day, Marion County Circuit Judge Don Abar, Marion County Circuit Judge elect

Sheryl Bachart, Lincoln County Circuit Judge Tom Branford, Lincoln County Circuit Judge John Collins, Yamhill County Circuit Judge Robert Morgan, Senior Judge, retired Clackamas County Judge Andrew Irwin, Washington County Circuit Court Judge D. Charles Bailey, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Ira Feitelson, Dallas Municipal Judge Todd McCann, Monmouth Municipal Judge Law Enforcement Endorsements: Stan Butterfield, Polk County District Attorney Aaron Felton, Polk County District Attorney Elect Jenn Gaddis, Prosecutor Oregon State Police Officers Association Walt Beglau, Marion County District Attorney Ray Steele, retired Polk County Sheriff Crime Victims United of Oregon Every Prosecutor in the Polk County District Attorneys office Elected Officials: Mike Ainsworth, County Commissioner Craig Pope, County Commissioner Jennifer Wheeler, Polk County Commissioner Tom Ritchey, Past Polk County Commissioner Ron Dodge, Past Polk County Commissioner Phil Walker, Past Polk County Commissioner Jim Thompson, State Representative Lane Shetterly, Past State Representative John Schoon, Past State Representative Janet Taylor, Former Salem Mayor and First Citizen Chuck Bennett, Salem City Councilor Dan Clem, Salem City Councilor Jim Fairchild, Dallas City Councilor Mike Blanchard, Dallas School Board John McCardle, Mayor of Independence And many more How the public can reach your campaign (remember that this information may be published): Mail address: Retain Judge Hill PO Box 334 Dallas, OR 97338 E-mail address: RetainJudgeHill@gmail.com

Web site URL: RetainJudgeHill.com Fax: (503)566-6775 Please limit your response to each of the following questions to about 75 words but be specific. 1. Have you ever been convicted of a crime, been disciplined by a professional licensing board/organization or had an ethics violation filed against you? If so, please give the details. I have never been convicted of a crime or disciplined by any professional licensing board or organization. The Oregon State Bar has no record of any complaints filed against me. However, I am aware that in my entire career I have had two bar complaints filed against me. Neither had any merit and both were dismissed at the initial inquiry stage. 2. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy, been delinquent on your taxes or other major accounts, or been sued personally or professionally? If so, please give the details. I have never filed bankruptcy, been delinquent on taxes or major accounts. I have been sued once in my professional capacity. A former client sued me along with several of his other attorneys. The court dismissed the suit with prejudice on summary judgment finding no evidence of negligence or wrongdoing. The Oregon Court of Appeals affirmed that ruling. 3. Why should people vote for you? What separates you from your opponent(s)? Since my appointment I have demonstrated my effectiveness as a judge. I have handled most of the types of cases that come before the court including: criminal, domestic relations, contract, real estate, juvenile delinquency and dependency, mental commitments, personal injury and probate. My performance has earned the trust and support of the other judges and most of the attorneys who regularly practice in Polk County, including every prosecutor and most of the defense bar. I have a background in civil litigation and experience with mediation and judicial settlement conferences, which fills a critical need in Polk County. In addition, I have a long history of representing families, farmers and businesses as a private lawyer serving Polk County.

4. What are the three most important issues you would address if elected? How? (75 words
for each issue)

First, I will continue making sure juvenile cases are given the time and attention they need to improve the chances for good outcomes. Juvenile cases are some of the most important cases that come before the court because the impact we have on children is both immediate and long lasting. In dependency cases I have the responsibility of supervising the Department of Human Services to make sure parents and children are given the support they need and children are in foster care only as long as absolutely necessary to ensure their safety and well being. I will continue asking the tough questions and holding both parents and the department accountable to make the system work for the children of Polk County. Second, I will continue tough sentencing for criminals. Polk County has made its jail a priority. While other courts are forced to let criminals out of jail because of budgets and overcrowding the modern Polk County jail has never been full. That gives judges an important criminal justice tool. In Polk County, criminal behavior is met with a swift, appropriate and certain punishment. I intend to continue that practice. Third, I will use my background in civil litigation to improve the available options for alternative dispute resolution. For example, I am currently being utilized as a settlement judge. In that role I help parties to civil lawsuits explore negotiated settlements instead of litigation. This gives the parties control over the outcome of their cases and saves scarce judicial resources. I am also in the process of developing a voluntary mediation program for small claims cases using Willamette University College of Law students as mediators.

5. What do you see as other important issues? It is critically important that judges are connected to the community. I have a long history of service to the local legal community and Polk County. I volunteer with local youth and families through Little League and I maintain an active presence in the community through Rotary and other volunteer activities. I will continue serving the legal community by helping maintain and enhance professionalism through the Willamette Valley Inns of Court and Willamette University College of Law. 6. How would you describe your political style or for judicial candidates, your judicial temperament? Good judicial temperament involves three components; technical competence, integrity and professionalism. Judges are by necessity generalists. We must quickly learn the law in any given field and correctly apply it to the facts in the case before the court. Judges must also act in a manner so that their integrity cannot reasonably be questioned. In almost every case at least one party will go away unhappy with the result. However, it is

imperative that they know the decision was based on the law and the facts and not on any improper influence or bias. In many ways the appearance of fairness is as important as fairness itself. Finally, judges have the primary role for ensuring professional conduct in the courtroom. Judges must treat all litigants with respect while insist on civility among the parties and the lawyers. I believe I have demonstrated these qualities during my time as judge and throughout my legal career. 7. If you are an incumbent, what have you achieved during your current term? If you are not an incumbent, how have you prepared yourself for this position? As discussed above, during my time on the bench, I have done my best to administer justice fairly, diligently and in accordance with the law. I have earned the trust and respect of my colleagues and the lawyers and other professionals who appear in front of me on a daily basis. I have begun using my skills and background as a civil litigator and business lawyer as a settlement judge and I am helping start a new program to bring small claims mediation to Polk County at no cost to the county or the state.

8. What is the largest budget you have handled, and in what capacity? As a partner in a small law firm I was responsible, along with my partners, for maintaining our firm budget, accounts and meeting payroll. As President of West Salem Little League I am responsible for a budget of approximately $95,000 per year. 9. What is the largest number of employees youve supervised, and in what capacity? The largest number of employees I have ever supervised directly is 6 as partner in a small law firm. However, as West Salem Little League President I am responsible for organizing and supporting well over 100 parent volunteers including league officials, umpires, coaches, managers, and concession workers. 10. Who is your role model for this office the person/people you would most like to emulate? My role model is retired Marion County Judge Joe Guimond. Any time I had a case with Judge Guimond, I could count on him being prepared, and ready to ask thoughtful probing questions. I did not always win but my clients always received a fair and dignified proceeding and a reasonable decision based on the law and the facts of the case. 11. Any skeletons in your closet or other potentially embarrassing information that you want to disclose before it comes up in the campaign? No