Sarah Bruner
After 18 years in office at the Rush County Courthouse as judge of the Rush Circuit Court, the Honorable Judge Barbara Arnold Harcourt has made the decision not to seek re-election and to pursue other areas of interest. Judge Harcourt will be working with State Court Administration with the Indiana Supreme Court.
Judge Harcourt believes that it is in the best interest of everybody to have a change at certain times. With her position being one that does not hold term limits, the person that holds the office has a responsibility to limit themselves, she said.
Judge Harcourt has opened the door to many women in Rush County by being the first woman judge in the county. When asked if she ever has felt discouraged as a woman in this type of field her response was, “No, that has not been a problem at all here in Rush County. Everybody here in Rushville has treated me with the utmost respect and courtesy.”
Rush County is predominantly Republican and Judge Harcourt is a Democrat. When asked if this ever caused complications she replied, “It makes for a different dynamic, but complications? No. Although I am elected on a partisan ballot, once we are in office it is completely non-partisan.”
Judge Harcourt praised county department heads, the county commissioners and council members, saying that they have all been “terrific.”
Judge Harcourt began her career teaching in Nevada, and has now moved to working on Web-based courses—along with the Honorable Stephan Bradbury from Susanville, Calif. and the Honorable Doug Harkin from Missoula, Mont. These courses are scheduled for Sept. 11 through Oct. 27, 2006.
Judge Harcourt was quoted in the winter/spring edition of “Case in Point” saying, “Isolation is such a big issue with rural judges. Distance learning is a great way to give people the opportunity to have educational experiences that would normally not be available to them.”
In the past 18 years there are many proud moments that Judge Harcourt could reflect on. To pin point just a few she explained that, “Setting up different methods here and having them work day after day is something to be very proud of. Starting different programs such as the Family Ties Program, and also receiving the Governor’s Distinguished Hoosier Award. Most importantly I am truly proud of being able to serve the voters here in Rush County for as many years as I have.”
Carl Harcourt, Judge Harcourt’s husband of 31 years, is a registered Republican. He is on the Orange Township Advisory Board.
“Politics make strange bed fellows,” Judge Harcourt lightly said. With a smile, she continued, “We always have interesting discussions, because we are very different in our political views.”
She admits that she will miss the local bench but noted, “New brooms sweep clean.” And although she will no longer be the judge for Rush Circuit Court her home is here in Rush County and she has no plans to relocate.
Judge Harcourt’s term will officially end Dec. 31, 2006.
Sarah Bruner is a Rushville Republican intern who attends the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz.
