Update on wayne circuit court
The Pal Item has this update today on the vacancy in Wayne Circuit Court. In sum, no news:
Wayne County’s Circuit Court has officially been without a judge for three weeks now.
Judge Douglas VanMiddlesworth, who retired effective Jan. 31, is still holding down the bench as a pro tem senior judge until Gov. Mitch Daniels appoints his successor.
But VanMiddlesworth is chomping at the bit to begin relaxing in earnest.
“I’ve told them I have some plans after the end of this month,” VanMiddlesworth said. “I don’t plan to be here in March.”
Under Indiana’s constitution, when a vacancy occurs in a county court, it is the governor’s responsibility to find a replacement.
Two weeks ago, the governor’s press secretary Jane Jankowski confirmed that letters of interest in the job had been received and candidates were being asked to fill out applications.
At least five local attorneys have inquired about the position. The governor or governor’s staff has reportedly interviewed at least some of them.
But there is still no announcement of a replacement.
And there has been no vetting of the applicants’ bona fides here.
Local judges and Wayne County Bar Association president Bob Bever have all offered to consult on the appointment, but none have been asked for an opinion yet.
VanMiddlesworth said he was assured a replacement would be named by Feb. 28.
Link.
