My Biggest Fan

My dear blog friends, I just HAVE to share these signs that my son, Will, made for my campaign for Jefferson County State's Attorney. Isn't he great?! He's definitely enjoying this campaigning process. Remember . . . vote for me, Meleah H. Walton!

Here's some quick election information. The primary election is March 20, 2012 and the gen

eral election is November 6, 2012. If you need to vote absentee, you must fill out an application that can be obtained from the Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder's Office (Connie Simmons) in the Jefferson County Courthouse. If you would like for me to pick up an application for you, please let me know and I will surely do so.

I will end today with this last message from Will:

'Tis the Season . . . for a Jury Trial?!

Hello, my friends! It has been a few days since I last posted anything. Hopefully you haven't all been pining away. LOL.

The past week and a half has seen my time & focus fully occupied by preparing for and participating in a criminal jury trial . . . as defense counsel. Now, I've prosecuted over 20 criminal jury trials over the years, but never before have I been involved in one by being on the "dark side". I found that I really had to work at getting the defense attorney mindset. This experience will be so helpful when I return (hopefully) to prosecuting.

In the new year, be looking for some fun activities with my campaign for Jefferson County State's Attorney. We plan to get a get together planned in late January or early February. Please join us!

As promised, I've finally posted a couple more photos from the Mt. Vernon Downtown Christmas Parade. Below is my long-time friend (& 3rd cousin), Dr. Christie Foster. Great parade!

I Won the Lottery! Sort of . . .

Good evening, my blogville friends! Did you catch today's Sentinel? I made the first page as the winner of the lottery. ACTUALLY, it was the ballot placement lottery (so no big $$ winnings involved). On March 20, 2012, when you go to the voting booth, there my name will be - first on the Jefferson County State's Attorney candidate list. I am thrilled!

I anticipate the rest of December to be a quiet month as far as the campaign trail goes. After all, this is a time to spend with family and friends, enjoying the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. Come the new year, and 2012 will be hopping with great activities in which you can become involved to show your support. Isn't that exciting?!

I'm looking forward to clean race, among all the candidates. Let's show Jefferson County our respect!

Until later . . .

Christmas Parade - December 3, 2011

What a great time we had walking in the Christmas Parade! Again, thank you for everyone who walked with me . . . And a special thank you to my dear friend, Paula Clouse, for driving (slowly even). The passenger there is another dear friend, Deb Branch.

I appreciate each and every one of my supporters! There were 33 of us in all. Yay! I'll be posting more photos over the next couple of days.

There was a great turnout tonight as the weather was absolutely perfect for a parade. Note to self for next parade . . . more goodies!

As I was walking along and viewing all the beautiful people lining the streets, my thoughts were "I sure love this place!" Lots of kids, lots of adults, lots of smiles. The parade organizers did a super job. Thanks!

Until another day . . . goodnight, my blog friends.

And now . . . the Meleah H. Walton for State's Attorney Mascot

My kids have been adamant that I introduce you to Biscuit, our silky terrier. So . . . here he is! Biscuit will be accompanying us in the big downtown Mt. Vernon Christmas Parade tomorrow (Saturday, December 3rd) at 5 p.m., sporting his red bandana. Hope to see you there!

I'm looking forward with excitement to seeing everybody at the parade! What better way to kick off the Christmas season? We've got the goody bags ready for the kids (young and young-at-heart alike). I am thankful for the many wonderful people who are braving the cold with me to show their support. Thank you!!

For those who are walking with me in the parade, please meet up at "H" parking lot at Mt. Vernon Township High School at 4:30 p.m. Yes, this is a bit of a change from the original information that you were given. Your forgiveness is greatly appreciated. Be sure to wear warm underlayers. After the parade, we'll meet back at my office to thaw with hot chocolate and cookies.

If you noticed my sign on an earlier blogpost (big thanks to my dear friend, Paula for her creative design capability), you now know that my colors are . . . RED and WHITE! Yes, red IS my favorite color (& it nicely matches my car). Plus, it's perfect for Christmas!

By the way, tomorrow is also my dad's birthday - Bill Cross. When you see him, be sure to wish him a very happy birthday!

May you all have a wonderful evening. See you soon!

It's Official . . .

Well, I was at the Jefferson County Courthouse bright and early yesterday morning, waiting for 8 o'clock to roll around so I could get my petition filed and get on the ballot as a State's Attorney candidate. I'm thrilled to announce that I am now an official candidate to become the Democrat nominee on March 20, 2012 for Jefferson County State's Attorney! By 1:00 p.m., I was back at the courthouse in juvenile court - abuse & neglect. Needless to say, when I got home, my 3 kids got big hugs from their mom.

Now, let's get back to the campaign. Didn't WMIX do a great job with my radio ads last night and today? I was rather pleased with the placement. I hope that by listening to them, you have learned that I have over 14 years' legal experience and have served both as a Jefferson County Assistant State's Attorney and as an Administrative Law Judge (with Illinois Secretary of State's Office).

Today's Sentinel had a front-page photo of me in line to file my petition. The Sentinel also ran my first printed political advertisement in this quest to become the next elected Jefferson County State's Attorney. Again, I am very pleased with the placement. Additional informational ads are forthcoming of course.

Remember, the Christmas Parade is this Saturday, December 3rd at 5:00 p.m. Thank you to everyone who has eagerly volunteered to brave the cold and walk with me! I so appreciate each of you. I was so excited when I counted up how many t-shirts needed to be ordered. If anyone else would like to join us, please let me know. You can comment here or on facebook, or e-mail me at mwalton@meleahwaltonlaw.com, or call me at (618)204-5022. We'll have lots of fun giving out treat bags to the kids and meeting new people! Then, we'll relax with cups of hot chocolate and good fellowship.

May you have a restful night's sleep. Until next time . . .

Calling All Y'All!!!

Well, Thanksgiving has come and gone. What a great time to spend with family and friends! I am blessed indeed. To keep my heart thankful (especially during the next few months), I'm taking the sage advice of a dear friend and have started keeping a gratitude journal. I will say that it definitely helps keep my focus where it should be.

So . . . did you eat a few too many pieces of pie this week? Need a little exercise to even it all out? Well, have I got the opportunity for you.

As many of you know, next Saturday evening (5 p.m.) is the annual Christmas Parade in Mt. Vernon. This year, though, some of my campaign supporters and I will be walking in the parade, handing out candy and what-nots. Hmmm, wonder who gets to drive Lil Red?!

I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN US as we walk!! Bring your kids . . . it'll be a good time! I'll have t-shirts for everyone, but you may want to wear a long-sleeve tee as a base layer. Afterwards, we'll march (or drive if you prefer) over to my office for some yummy hot chocolate and cookies. If you'd like to join us, let me know & we'll get you all fixed up.

By the way, that silly girl up there is my niece Maggie Grace Walton. Isn't she cute??

Have a great night!

. . . and Here's the Rest of the Family

Well, you all met one of my blessings yesterday - Princess Madi. Now you get the privilege of meeting the rest of my family of five. See those crazy boys?! Will, who's 11, is the blondie. Matt, who's 10, is the baby of the Walton fam. As you can tell, Matt gets his height from his mother. Okay, maybe not. Now . . . Will really does get his height from you know who.

Below is my husband of almost 20 years - all of it pure wedded bliss, of course! (This is where you all lift up your pant legs so you don't step in anything.) Seriously, though, Brett and I were high school sweethearts during our last couple of years at MVTHS. (Your cue to say "Awwwww.")

No, we don't own a Harley-Davidson, but we sure enjoyed renting this one. Wild ones, eh?! Brett and I have had some incredible adventures in our years together and we look forward to the many that still lie ahead.

Well, my blog friends, I've had a great night of 6th grade basketball out at Bluford and of an awesome Thanksgiving Eve feed put on by my "Aunt" Iris out in Belle Rive, both of which now have my cozy bed calling my name.

I likely will not be blogging tomorrow, but, rather will be focusing on my great family. First we will head to the Cross' and will dine with my little brother Ryan and his kids, my little sister Kara and her crew, and my parents. We'll end our day at the Waltons' with Brett's brother Zack and his family, as well as his parents, Dick & Donna Walton.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

A Day That Will Live in Infamy (at least in my mind) - November 22, 2011

See that beautiful young woman? That's my first-born child, Madi Grayce and she's 17 today! Oh how I remember that day . . .

I was a second-year law student at S.I.U. and Thanksgiving Break had just begun a couple of days before when our princess entered our world - perfect and beautiful, of course! After many, many, many hours of labor and finally a c-section, along came our little girl. She's been a joy ever since (well, for the vast majority of the time :)).

Madi has grown up in the midst of my legal endeavors. Ya know, she attended law school in utero and on a few occasions in her own skin; that's why she's so smart and uses big words. LOL. When I started my first job with the Jefferson County State's Attorney's Office, she warmed the hearts of many at the courthouse with her Precious Moments eyes and cotton-top hair.

So, today, my little girl is 17. She continues to warm the hearts of all who know her and she makes one heck of a legal secretary!

You all have a wonderful night . . . and be on the lookout for Madi's mom carrying her petition to run for office.

The Journey - Day 7

Goodness! Is that a cheesy grin or what?! As you can see, I'm having a good time with this blog chronicling my quest.

I've been busy the last week gathering signatures for my petition to get on the ballot in March. I so enjoy talking to old friends and meeting new ones. THANK YOU FOR THE ENTHUSIASM YOU HAVE SHOWN TO ME!

I've also been gathering together friends and family to begin forming my campaign committee. All I can say is that I am humbled by your willingness to travel this road ahead with me. You guys are awesome! There's still room for others to jump on this ride with me. Come along! I'd love to have you! We'll be ordering shirts and such soon, so let me know if you'd like one.

On a sidenote, I spend a lot of Mondays in juvenile court and today was one of those days. It can be heartrending to see the state that some of these families are in. I find it so fulfilling to be part of the process to care for the children involved. Children are truly a blessing and I believe it's our duty to nurture and protect them. I will leave you all with that thought to ponder.

That's all for now, my friends. Have a restful night. See ya tomorrow!

Day to Rest - Sunday November 20th

Ahhh, Sunday . . . what a glorious day to rest. I think I'll take a nap.

** Oops! I forgot to publish my post.

Day 3 of the Journey

Busy, busy, busy . . . that's how it rolls these days. My office computer system decided it needed a day off today, so here I am . . . finally able to post for the day.

My day has been full, to say the least. I can honestly say that I'm having a blast in this quest to become the next elected State's Attorney of Jefferson County! The whole election process is so interesting to me. Lots of papers to fill out, people to meet and others with whom to get reacquainted, and decisions to make.

Decisions, decisions, decisions . . . such as, what shall my campaign colors be? I've got my favorite color in mind, but what do you think??

Well . . . that's all for tonight, my friends. Have a wonderful Friday!

P.S. The photo has nothing to do with my election, but I just love the picture of my family and our dear friends, Tammy and Alex, battling the Colorado River :)

Day 2 of the Quest - Part 2

Whew! Where has the day gone??

By the way . . . HOW ABOUT THAT NEWSPAPER ARTICLE THIS MORNING? Wow. Wasn't that great?!

I want to let everyone know how pumped I am to be running for State's Attorney. Serving as State's Attorney in Jefferson County has truly been my "dream job" since I won my first case on behalf of the Native Americans back in the eighth grade at Opdyke-Belle Rive Grade School. Yes, that would have been a "mock" trial. LOL. Still, there's just something incredibly satisfying about being a part of righting wrongs.

When I first began my "official" legal career in 1997, it was right here at home - in the Jefferson County State's Attorney's Office. Now, my "unofficial" legal career began here as well when I interned with the Second Circuit Chief Judge's Office, researching legal issues and writing briefs for our Judges.

When our first son, Will, came along in 2000, I took what I thought would be a short hiatus from the prosecutor's office. However, our first son, Matt, was born in 2001. Cool, huh? Absolutely! But, at that time, the Jefferson County State's Attorney's Office had no openings - part-time or full-time. So, Brett & I decided that continuing to work from my home office would be a better plan for our family. During that time of thousands of diaper changes and baby slobber, though, I took on some contractual work with the Illinois Office of State Appellate Prosecutor as well as court appointments as a Guardian ad Litem (working on behalf of the best interests of children). In 2002, I went to work part-time in the White County State's Attorney's Office while continuing to work with a local Jefferson County agency, Lutheran Child & Family Services, helping to secure guardianships for children and their caregivers (mainly family members). Also during that time, in mid-2004 I began adoption work, which is absolutely a wonderful experience. Later on in 2004, the hour-plus drive from our home in northern Jefferson County to Carmi got to be a bit wearisome, and I resumed working primarily from home, but not for long . . .

In 2005, a part-time position with The Sharp Law Firm, P.C. presented itself and I figured I'd try my hand at the civil side of the law. Man, it was nothing like criminal law! That part-time job turned into full-time, and, as a result, I'm now rather well-versed in civil procedure (if I may say so myself) and legal writing.

In January of 2008, I got the chance to strike out on my own full-time due largely in part to my securing a contract with the Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White's Office as an Administrative Law Judge. Thus began my full-time solo practice and where I am today, "just a poor country lawyer"* doing her best to serve the legal field.

Now I have the second chance to serve my friends and family here in the Jefferson County State's Attorney's Office . . . and live out my dream job! How awesomely blessed can I get?! Can I get an "AMEN"?

Until next time . . .

MHW

* a favorite quote of an old boss (you know who you are!)

Day 2 of the Quest - Part 1

Thanks for coming on this crazy journey with me! Just a quick note today. Yesterday, I picked up my petition to run in the Democrat primary in March (primary election day is March 20, 2012 - fyi). Man, word got out quick! I'm excited and so affirmed by the support already shown me!

I guess letting you all know a little about me is in order, huh? I've been married to my high school sweetheart, Richard "Brett" Walton", for 19 1/2 years. He's worked at Continental (General Tire) since shortly after our nuptials. We have 3 great kids (most days - lol): Madi, who is a few days shy of 17; Will, who is 11; and Matt, who is 10. I grew up in Belle Rive (go Roadrunners!), graduated from good ol' Mt. Vernon Twp. High (Class of '88 - dating myself, I know). My parents are Bill and Carolyn (Scrivner) Cross and my father-in-love and mother-in-love are Dick & Donna Walton.

I love this community and the beautiful people who live here.

More later . . .

Meleah