County voters will select third judge this fall

May 16th, 2007 - 6:19am

KONP News

(Port Angeles) -- Clallam County commissioner yesterday passed a resolution calling for a third Superior Court judge.

The measure calls for election of a judge this fall. It is open to any Washington licensed attorney that is also a registered voter in Clallam County. Filing for the job will run June 4th through the 8th.

It'll be a one-year term with the office on the ballot again in fall of 2008. Commissioners voted in favor of adding the judge during their regular meeting Tuesday morning.

The move was a reversal after hearing pleas from attornies and judges yesterday saying the judge is neccessary to hear a backlog of mainly civil cases. County Commissioner Steve Tharinger voted in favor of the resolution along with Commissioner Mike Doherty.

They say there's enough state help to fund the judge. Commissioner Mike Chapman was the lone no vote at this morning's meeting. He says he still uncomfortable adding a $160,000.00 cost to the budget in light of possible budget cuts facing the county as soon as next year.