Potpourri: Three Express Interest In Being Judge Of New Court
December 29, 2018 at 1:27 a.m.
By Dan [email protected]
The Indiana General Assembly approved a request last year to establish the new court, which will open for business – so to say – beginning July 1.
Gov. Eric Holcomb's office will soon be accepting applications for those seeking to be appointed as the court’s new judge. After that, the position will be up to voters.
The Times-Union has heard four names bandied about who are interested, and three of those confirmed varying levels of interest this week.
Among those confirming plans to apply for the job are county attorney Chad Miner and longtime local attorney Chris Kehler.
Robert Bishop, a deputy prosecutor in the county prosecutor’s office, said he’s reviewing his options and hasn’t decided whether to apply.
A fourth person whose name keeps surfacing did not return a call left Thursday.
Nothing is finalized yet, but several people said they believe Superior Court 4 will handle a large number of the cases involving family law.
The application process will likely happen in February.
Stepping up – Speaking of Bishop, he found himself in an unlikely situation earlier this week after the untimely death of Wayne Township Trustee Sheila Burner.
Burner was set to retire next week from her role as trustee and passed away a week ago at the age of 78. Burner had not appointed a deputy trustee, so the next in line to fill her vacancy, according to state law, was the chairman of the township board, which is Bishop.
Bishop stepped up on short notice to ensure township staff would be paid on Thursday.
Bishop did not seek re-election on the township board.
Flag Etiquette – Here’s a friendly reminder: If you fly an American flag and lowered it in remembrance of former President George H. W. Bush, who died Nov. 30, you can put it back to full staff on Sunday.
Revved Up – Supporters of the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds racetrack are revving up for battle after a mediation hearing between the fair board and nearby property owners failed to reach a compromise last week.
The lawsuit by homeowners now appears to be headed toward trial as they seek to have a court shut down efforts by the fairgrounds to reinvigorate its racing tradition, which was sidelined nearly 30 years ago as the result of an agreement.
Some racetrack supporters speaking out on a Facebook page, We want another Warsaw Speedway, are talking about a renewed boycott against businesses owned by some of the property owners named in the suit.
Several race fans are calling for a meeting with the fair board in hopes of getting an update. Some want to even line up race cars in front of city hall to help send a message, which is a bit odd since the court won’t be looking at the issue in terms of popularity.
Much of their angst, though, continues to be directed at Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer, who lives near the track along Winona Lake.
Numerous posts on the page attack Thallemer for issues not even related to the suit, and some are rallying behind City Councilman Ron Shoemaker, who is considering a mayoral run against Thallemer.
Sandy Atkins, an administrator for the Facebook page, bristled at the suggestion that they are willing to see the lawsuit play out beyond the May primary election in order to score political points.
In a long response, Atkins said they are not trying to “drag it out on purpose,” and then went on to suggest property owners should pony up and buy some land for a new race track.
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The Indiana General Assembly approved a request last year to establish the new court, which will open for business – so to say – beginning July 1.
Gov. Eric Holcomb's office will soon be accepting applications for those seeking to be appointed as the court’s new judge. After that, the position will be up to voters.
The Times-Union has heard four names bandied about who are interested, and three of those confirmed varying levels of interest this week.
Among those confirming plans to apply for the job are county attorney Chad Miner and longtime local attorney Chris Kehler.
Robert Bishop, a deputy prosecutor in the county prosecutor’s office, said he’s reviewing his options and hasn’t decided whether to apply.
A fourth person whose name keeps surfacing did not return a call left Thursday.
Nothing is finalized yet, but several people said they believe Superior Court 4 will handle a large number of the cases involving family law.
The application process will likely happen in February.
Stepping up – Speaking of Bishop, he found himself in an unlikely situation earlier this week after the untimely death of Wayne Township Trustee Sheila Burner.
Burner was set to retire next week from her role as trustee and passed away a week ago at the age of 78. Burner had not appointed a deputy trustee, so the next in line to fill her vacancy, according to state law, was the chairman of the township board, which is Bishop.
Bishop stepped up on short notice to ensure township staff would be paid on Thursday.
Bishop did not seek re-election on the township board.
Flag Etiquette – Here’s a friendly reminder: If you fly an American flag and lowered it in remembrance of former President George H. W. Bush, who died Nov. 30, you can put it back to full staff on Sunday.
Revved Up – Supporters of the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds racetrack are revving up for battle after a mediation hearing between the fair board and nearby property owners failed to reach a compromise last week.
The lawsuit by homeowners now appears to be headed toward trial as they seek to have a court shut down efforts by the fairgrounds to reinvigorate its racing tradition, which was sidelined nearly 30 years ago as the result of an agreement.
Some racetrack supporters speaking out on a Facebook page, We want another Warsaw Speedway, are talking about a renewed boycott against businesses owned by some of the property owners named in the suit.
Several race fans are calling for a meeting with the fair board in hopes of getting an update. Some want to even line up race cars in front of city hall to help send a message, which is a bit odd since the court won’t be looking at the issue in terms of popularity.
Much of their angst, though, continues to be directed at Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer, who lives near the track along Winona Lake.
Numerous posts on the page attack Thallemer for issues not even related to the suit, and some are rallying behind City Councilman Ron Shoemaker, who is considering a mayoral run against Thallemer.
Sandy Atkins, an administrator for the Facebook page, bristled at the suggestion that they are willing to see the lawsuit play out beyond the May primary election in order to score political points.
In a long response, Atkins said they are not trying to “drag it out on purpose,” and then went on to suggest property owners should pony up and buy some land for a new race track.
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