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M M M <br />noted that all of the local judges, as well as the local bar <br />association, support the adoption of this ordinance. <br />Commissioner Bird understood that the purpose of the <br />ordinance is to bring the parties together and mediate their <br />potentially broken marriage, and if the marriage cannot be saved, <br />to resolve a more amicable dissolution without spending time and <br />money in litigation. <br />Commissioner Wodtke felt that mediation services would occur <br />only in litigated cases, but Attorney Brandenburg explained that <br />would not necessarily be the case. The Judge will enter an <br />administrative order which will indicate that the parties will <br />voluntarily submit to this service; however, the court may decide <br />they want the parties to go through this service. Either the <br />court or the parties may select the mediator. With respect to <br />parties who have no way to pay for the service, one approach <br />being considered is for some attorneys in town to provide these <br />services without charge, thereby satisfying their obligation to <br />provide service each year to indigent people. <br />Commissioner Wodtke was concerned whether attorney's per se <br />were better qualified to act as mediators in these matters. - <br />Attorney Brandenburg believed that since attorneys deal with <br />dissolution of marriages on a day-to-day basis, they are very <br />well qualified to act as mediators; however, the administrative <br />order has been written so that mediators can be clergymen or <br />other qualified individuals. <br />Chairman Lyons opened the Public Hearing and asked if anyone <br />wished to be heard in this matter. <br />Jean Byrne, local marriage and family counselor, urged the <br />Commission to establish the service because he believed that <br />mediation is beneficial in helping people to separate amicably so <br />their relationship with their children can be preserved. <br />Lawrence Barkett, President of the Indian River County Bar <br />Association, concurred and advised that the Bar Association <br />endorses the adoption of this ordinance. He pointed out that the <br />22 <br />APR 24 1985 Boor. 60 pnUE 676 <br />