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