
Who is Alison
Community Leader,Volunteer, 26 year Legal Professional, Mother, Wife, Neighbor
Who is Alison
Community Leader,Volunteer, 26 year Legal Professional, Mother, Wife, Neighbor
Community Leader,Volunteer, 26 year Legal Professional, Mother, Wife, Neighbor
Community Leader,Volunteer, 26 year Legal Professional, Mother, Wife, Neighbor
In her 26-year career working for trial attorneys, Alison is compassionate and has always displayed respect, honesty and integrity in her work. She will continue to demonstrate all these qualities in the office of Assistant Judge.
Having worked on several local non-profit boards, Alison appreciates the financial challenges faced by our County and she has worked collaboratively managing conservative budgets.
Alison has boundless energy. She has volunteered for her community regularly for nearly 20 years and is looking forward to serving her community further as Assistant Judge.
I was born and raised in New Jersey and have lived in Woodstock for nearly 20 years. My husband and I raised our two daughters in Woodstock. I understand the concerns of young families and the struggles many of them face. I moved to this area because of the powerful sense of community I felt immediately upon arrival. That is why I have volunteered regularly since I have lived here. I have instilled this work ethic in my children. I look forward to continuing to support my beautiful community.
Alison has worked in the legal field for over 26 years. She also read the law here in Vermont. In her capacity as a paralegal, Alison has displayed patience, compassion, integrity, and respect in all aspects of her position. She regularly works with her clients offering support as well as attorneys, physicians and insurance adjusters. Alison can easily navigate the online court system and all technology used by the Judiciary. She has earned the valued respect of her peers.
Alison has served our community for nearly 20 years as a board member of Pentangle, Woodstock Nursery School and the Taftsville Cemetery where she is the current president. Her community volunteer work includes directing youth theatre, grant writing for Change the World Kids and Woodstock Elementary School, Zack’s Place, Covered Bridges Half Marathon, Vermont Overland, WES, Wassail Holiday House Tour, Student Rescue Project, JAG Productions and others.
Alison was elected and served as Justice of the Peace in Woodstock. She resigned to run for Assistant Judge.
Alison served as the Secretary of the Pentangle Arts Council board, the Registrar of the Woodstock Nursery School Board and is the current President of the Taftsville Cemetery Association
Accomplishments and Awards
As a board member, Alison in collaboration with her colleagues has managed the financials and budgets for non-profit organizations. She is organized and detailed in her management of financial operations.
Alison proud to have “read the law” here in Vermont.
Alison started a youth theatre group at Woodstock Elementary School to provide an alternative Friday activity for children interested in the arts.
Alison is a graduate of Berkeley College in New Jersey. Her background has always been in the legal field. She has extensive experience and legal training.
I am running for Assistant Judge because I know that I can assist Windsor County residents and make a difference.
I look forward to the opportunity to serve our great community
My goals are to serve our community with judicial ethics, integrity, and compassion. I also take very seriously the collaboration of Assistant Judges, County Clerk and Sheriffs in the management of our budget and will fully represent the interests of my constituents
Sara Norcross, Reading, VT
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County Government
Vermont is the only state in the union where municipal functions such as roads, parks, schools, jails, law enforcement, and economic development matters are assigned to the 251 towns or larger cities. Very few functions have been left to Vermont’s fourteen counties. Yet, there are a number of critical governmental functions and services for which Vermont counties are responsible.
All county officials are on the ballot every four years in the off-presidential election cycle. That means that the assistant judges, the probate judge, the sheriff, and the state’s attorney are all elected and accountable to the citizens.
Title 24 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated enumerate all of the laws that apply to county government. Assistant judges are the county executives. In fact, we are the only elected officials in the country in which executive, legislative and judicial functions are vested in one individual.
The authority of assistant judges to perform their county and judicial roles are expressly granted by statute.
24 V.S.A. Sections 71a and 131 provide for the care, maintenance and use of county buildings, chief among them the county courthouse.
In order to do this, and to provide support for the sheriff’s department pursuant to 23 V.S.A. Section 73 The assistant judges create an annual budget. Once again, the process for public hearings for the county budget are laid out in statute.
Yearly, in December and January, the assistant judges prepare a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, determining both income and expenses. A preliminary public budget hearing is held in December and open for public comment on the proposed budget. The county annual meeting must be held in January at which time the final budget is presented to the public by the assistant judges. These public meetings are warned and copies of the budget are available from the county clerk.
Income is derived from a tax assessment on each town based on the value of the town’s equalized grand list. Various other income is included such as rents, passport fees, small claims fees, and storage of wills.
Each county supports its sheriff’s department in its yearly budget. Amounts are also budgeted for the assistant judge salaries, utilities, buildings and grounds maintenance, personnel (each county employs a county clerk and county treasurer, by statute), equipment and supplies, insurance, legal and auditing expenses, and more. Counties may also budget for capital improvements by building a capital reserve fund. A copy of the current budget may be obtained by contacting the county clerk.
Our Judicial Functions
Assistant judges also have a judicial function. They sit as finders of fact in civil and family court, along side of the presiding superior court judge—hence the name: ‘Side Judge.’
4 V.S.A section 36 sets forth the jurisdiction of assistant judges in civil and family court.
In all court proceedings, the assistant judges are finders of fact. They do exactly what a jury does: determine who to believe; what weight to give various pieces of evidence; how to resolve conflicting evidence. The presiding judge then applies those facts to the law and the Court issues a decision which is signed by all three judges.
With additional training as set forth in statutes, the assistant judges may qualify to sit by themselves as hearing officers in the Judicial Bureau where all traffic violations are adjudicated as well as sitting alone to hear uncontested divorce proceedings.
Both of these roles are vital to the smooth functioning of the Vermont court system and help to provide access to justice for Vermont’s citizens.
The Assistant judges are the elected county executives responsible for the administration of the county budget and all other county affairs; in our judicial function, we sit as finders of fact in civil and family court alongside the presiding Superior Court Judge—hence the term “side judges.”
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Alison Johannensen has the strength of character, intelligence, work ethic, humor, and compassion to make an effective Windsor County Assistant Judge. She has a fresh interest and eagerness to fill the position.
I have known Alison for sixteen years as a close friend and also as a collaborator onstage in local musical theater productions. Onstage, as a dancer and actor, Alison leads, creates, and teaches. As a friend, neighbor, or family member, Alison invariably shows up to lend quiet support to those in times of crisis or need.
Over these years, I have watched Alison and her husband raise two strong daughters while they worked their full-time jobs. Alison’s work has been as a highly organized, committed and skilled paralegal. Remarkably, she has also found the time to support her community by serving on local boards, and volunteering regularly at events such as the Zack’s Place annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot fundraiser.
Voting in the August 9th primary is one way we can create a better future. I will be voting with confidence for Alison Johannensen to serve as Windsor County Assistant Judge.
Sara Norcross
Reading, VT
I write in support of Alison Johannensen as a Windsor County Assistant Judge. As a former board colleague, I know that Alison is qualified for this position given her vast legal experience and work on non-profit budgets. I can speak to Alison’s deep commitment to her community. She will bring a strong work ethic, energy and compassion to any task assigned to her.
I urge Windsor County voters to vote for Alison Johannensen for Windsor County Assistant Judge in the primary August 9th.
Sarit Werner
I would like to write in support of Alison Johannensen for Windsor County Assistant Judge. She is a compassionate, intelligent and hard working woman. She has raised two beautiful and kind daughters in our school system and gave back to the schools with many volunteering hours both in the classroom and on the athletic field.
She has contributed to our community in so many ways over the past few decades, serving on the Pentangle board, volunteering with Zack's Place and Change the World Kids, among many other organizations.
Alison has worked in the legal system as a paralegal for many years. She can best be described as detailed, organized and reliable. She works hard to make sure her clients are well represented with accurate information.
Please join me in voting for Alison as Assistant Judge. I am confident that she will be a breath of fresh air our legal system.
Leanne Tapley
Woodstock, VT
I write in support of Alison Johannensen as a Windsor County Assistant Judge. I’ve known Alison personally and professionally for more than a decade. Alison is uniquely qualified for this position given her 26 years in the legal profession as a paralegal. She has worked on several budgets for various non-profit boards. Her work ethic and experience in fact finding and research on a myriad of issues throughout her career make her a “perfect fit” for this position. Lastly, as anyone who knows her can attest, she has boundless energy, a strong commitment to community and compassion for those around her. Attributes that complement her years of professional experience further qualifying her to be one of Windsor County’s Assistant Judges.
I urge registered voters to vote for Alison Johannensen for Windsor County Assistant Judge on August 9, 2022
Sincerely,
Alita Wilson
The position of Assistant Judge is unique to the State of Vermont.
The position originated as part of Vermont's Government in the 1700s and was written into the Vermont Constitution in 1793 after Vermont was admitted into the Union in 1791. Since that time, two people from each of Vermont's 14 Counties are elected every four years to serve their respective Districts as established by law. Assistant Judges are the elected County officials responsible for the administration of the County Budget and all County affairs. In our Judicial function we sit as finders of fact in Civil and Family Court proceedings alongside the presiding Superior Court Judge.
I have had the privilege of serving you for the past (almost) eight years and it is now time for me to pass the torch.
It is my honor (no pun intended) to support the candidacy of *Alison
Johannensen* to replace me in the position of Assistant Judge for Windsor County. *Alison* has the knowledge and understanding of the Court system, and of the new technology protocols used by the Courts today. She is competent, committed, enthusiastic, and looking forward to being a dedicated public servant.
Thank you.
Ellen Terie
Assistant Judge, Windsor County, VT
I write in support of Alison Johannensen as a Windsor County Assistant Judge. I’ve known Alison personally and professionally for more than a decade. Alison is uniquely qualified for this position given her 26 years in the legal profession as a paralegal. She has worked on several budgets for various non-profit boards. Her work ethic and experience in fact finding and research on a myriad of issues throughout her career make her a “perfect fit” for this position. Lastly, as anyone who knows her can attest, she has boundless energy, a strong commitment to community and compassion for those around her. Attributes that complement her years of professional experience further qualifying her to be one of Windsor County’s Assistant Judges.
I urge registered voters to vote for Alison Johannensen for Windsor County Assistant Judge on August 9, 2022
Sincerely,
Alita Wilson
PAID FOR BY Alison Johannensen for Assistant Judge
P.O. Box 6 Taftsville, VT 05073
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