« é _ S'Ambrose Universi ty Dr. Naney Hayes. Associate Professor, English St. Ambrose University 518 W, Locust Street Davenport, Towa 52803 RECEIVED January 6, 2011 JAN 21 201 David K. Boyd 1111 East Court Ave. ‘STATE COURT ADMINISTRATOR Des Moines, IA 50319 Dear Secretary Boyd: My association with Mark Dana Cleve goes back twenty years, during which time we shared parenting experiences with our sons, who attended schoo! together. In addition, we have shared interests in symphony, theater, and biking. We support many of the same cultural institutions in the Quad Cities, and are long term friends, I have been able to see his son blossom here at St. Ambrose, end the uniqueness of our friendship grows out of the fact that T am a devoted advocate of his son Zachary. ‘Through the last fwo decades 1 have been a witness to Mark’s development from a congenial, proficient, and extremely ntelligent lawyer to a judge, one who has taken his mission to administer justice profoundly to heart, Mark is a kind man, one who balances empathy with practicality, employing common sense while demonstrating a generous understanding of human nature, He seems fo me (0 possess a rare combination of being a warm person who cares fervently about his family and community as well as an individual with a sharply defined and solid understanding of what is right and good. I recommend Mark highly for the lowa Supreme Court judgeshi Respectfully, fowey Mayle 1 518 Wes: Locust, Davenpor, Towa $2803, 319/333-6000The Court of Common Pleas it Butler County Judges: 315 High Street Judge ‘TRIAL DIVISION Hamilton, Ohio 45on MICHAEL J. SAGE, Cmnig D. Hedrie Anew Nast (613) 887-3283 ee or (513) 887-3285 Fax Soni. Bowes ut tercomntpebioorg RECEIVED Michaci J. Sage Keith M, Spaeth JAN 18 2011 January 7, 2011 ‘STATE COURT ADMINISTRATOR: David K. Boyd State Court Administrator 1111 East Court Avenue Des Moines, IA 50319 Inte: Judge Mark D. Cleve 2316 E. 46" Place Davenport, lowa 52807 Dear Mr. Boyd, It is my honor to give my greatest possible recommendation for a position on the lowa ‘Supreme Court to Judge Mark D. Cleve. As a sitting judge in the Ohio court system for over 20 years | am frequently asked to give recommendations for individuals. | am very reluctant to do 0 however, in Judge Cleve's case | thought it very important that | make an exception. I have known Judge Cleve through the National Judicial College for over ten years. Both of us serve as faculty members on the National Judicial College and we are both involved with the New Judge's Program which we participate in every other year. Judge Cleve has continually exhibited those characteristics that one would expect from only the highest performing judge. Judge Cleve stands heads and shoulders above his peers. He is widely recognized for his excellent demeanor, wisdom and fair-mindedness. In the New Judges Program he very quickly gains the respect of the new judges who are assigned to him along with the immediate respect that he commands from the peers on the faculty of the National Judicial College. When | think of what values a supreme court justice should have I think of intelligence, fair-mindedness, basic core values and judicial experience. Judge Cleve brings all of those qualities to the table. | simply believe that | can give no stronger recommendation than what can to Judge Cleve. | value his friendship and | value his wisdom that he has shared with his fellow judges at the National Judicial College quring our acquaintance. Thank you very much. MuSisiS'Ambrose UNnIVErSty sive iscse + vscryoestva sn + wwsauads i 11, 2011 au RECEIVED JAN 1 4 2011 eased eng atin eee It is my pleasure to write a letter of recommendation for Mark Cleve, a judicial applicant for the Towa Supreme Court. Ihave known Mark for many years and in many capacities; asa friend, father of one of my students, fellow follower of culture, over of nature and finally, a bike-iding partner. Interestingly, the one area I lack knowledge in is that of Mark’s work in the legel arena. I've seen him in robes leaving his chambers once when visiting a friend at the courthouse, but this sas close as ve come to seeing Mark at work. So its with humility and honor f weit this letter toyou. | best know Matk a8 a consumer of culture. I see him frequently at the symphony, at the Figge, at local gallery openings and dance performances. I find him diverse and surprising in his interests. He frequents our former's ‘market, our Quad City Bagle Days, and our local bike elub chapter meetings. He isa great champion and supporter ‘of our local eulture. Mark defines being a humanitarian in this capacity. But what I most enjoy is what makes Mark s0 very human, At anytime, cunning into him at any venue, 1 always feel Mark as being very present, engaged and Invested in the moment, His interest is refreshingly genuine, his curiosity intoxicating, his intellect, humble and approachable. ‘Asa painter and professor of art I pride myself on my powers of observation yet riding bikes with Mark has proven my visuol acuity is lacking, Riding along with Mark is like having your own dedicated naturalist to interpret the flora and fauna, There isa soft sandy bank on a creck that borders our local bike path that thanks to Mark, Tow know is a great spot to sve soft-sholled turtles. 1 slow down each time I pass and thank Mark for showing me this turtle hiding place. One day early this summer another friend and I were out on a tide and came across Mark along our route, He asked if we had seen the dead map turle ten miles back. "Why no,” we responcled, and with his excited ‘encouragement he rode back with us to see the victim. l anticipated a giant, loggerhead-sized beast spanning the bike path so was surprised by the teeny, delicate ornamental turtle split in two on the very edge of the path. Surely, ‘would have dismissed this as stone. I acimire his respect for the natural world and his attention to detail. Mack isa very good man, [know him tobe trustworthy, observant, scholariy and skilled. He's an outstanding Iowan and would honorably and capably serve onthe Towa Supreme Court. [am pleased to have had this opportunity to zecommend him to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions Kristin Quinn, Professor of Art, St, Ambrose University, 563.993-6428 quinnktistin@sau.edJOHN KORN 207 RIDGEWOOD AVENUE DAVENPORT, IOWA 52803 RECEIVED January 9, 2011 JAN 12 2011 Mr. David K. Boyd STATE COURT, 1111 East Court Avenue ee atOn Des Moines, 1A 50319 Re: Mark D, Cleve Dear Mr. Boyd, Lam writing to you today to recommend Mark Cleve as a nominee for one of the ‘openings on the Iowa Supreme Court. Tam fortunate enough in my life to not have had much experience with the court systems other than jury duty. Therefore I cannot comment on Mark in a professional manner. However, Ihave known Mark since Junior High School and I am writing with a recommendation based on what I know best about him — his character, integrity and ethics. | Mark is a person for whom I have always had great admiration and respect. Going back to our childhood, Mark has possessed the enviable combination of a great intellect and an ability to connect with people from all walks of life, He's exceptionally bright but lacks the ego that often goes along with exceptionally bright people. When he chose to seek a position as a judge many years ago, I was very supportive because I felt that his skill set combined with his personality was a great formula for a fair and responsible judge. My few experiences in a courtroom have, as mentioned above, been limited to jury duty. What I've come away from those experiences with is a feeling that our judicial system really does do everything possible to make each trial fair and just. IFT were asked to pick anyone I know who would be a good fit for a judge, Mark Cleve would be the first to come to mind as a person I would want in that chair. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about why I am supporting Mark in his bid for a position on the Iowa Supreme Court. Best regards, 563-370-6000 Phone: 563-324-3640 lohnkorn56@yahoo.com Cel Fax: 563-324-7559