The Herald News
 Friday, March 27, 1998

Judicial nominee Macy attacked for radio comments
The Herald News Staff

FALL RIVER - An official with the Fatherhood Coalition, a statewide group
that feels restraining orders are biased against men, protested Joseph I.
Macy's nomination to the bench of 1st District Court, Taunton.

Earl Henry Scholly, director of the group's Metro Southwest Chapter,
appeared before the Governor's Council to oppose Macy's appointment.

Sholley was one of the witnesses to testify against the nomination of
either Macy or Gilbert J. Nadeau Jr. at their hearings on Wednesday.

Nadeau has been nominated for the judgeship in 2dn District Court, Fall
River.

Macy, an attorney in private practice in Fall River, and Nedeau, the first
assistant district attorney in Bristol County, are expected to win easy
confirmation, which could come as early as next week.

Scholley was upset with Macy for remarks the attorney made earlier this
month on radio station WSAR, and played a tape of the broadcast.

"I am of the opinion that this nominee would have no problem in suspending
due process for men and fathers while going along with this harmful
political correct agenda to keep women safe at any cost," Sholley said in a
prepared statement.

"You should also come to the same conclusion when you review the
taping...and you hear Attorney Macy's comments," he told the members of
the Governor's Council.

Macy answered the criticisms. saying he feels the system of issuing
restraining orders is fair. He added protective orders can be written in
such a way to protect women and treat men fairly.

Sholley has been in Fall River frequently in the past month in his capacity
as an organizer with the Fatherhood Coalition. He protested the treatment
of men when restraining orders are issued at a demonstration outside 2nd
District Court during the trial of Raymond Saulnier, a member of the group
who was later convicted of a restraining order violation.

But Macy's nomination won praise from former Fall River Mayor Carlton M.
Viveiros, now the clerk magistrate of the Southeastern Division of the
state's Housing Court, and George Jacobs, an associate justice with the
state Appeals Court.

Viverious said Macy has lent his legal expertise to city officials and the
School Committee.

Macy was the legal council to the Fall River School Committee for many
 years. He is presently legal council to the Swansea School Committee and
the Southeast Regional Transit Authority. By statute, all judges receive
$95,710.

Macy also received endorsements from state Sen. Thomas Norton, D- Fall
River and the Senate's majority leader; state Sen. Marc R. Pacheco, D -
Taunton; and state Rep. Joan Menard, D - Somerset.