Dec. 30, 2011
17 Judges Retiring This Year
Municipal court judges make up the lion’s share of judgeships that will see turnover in 2012 as 17 judges from across the state retire this year.
Fourteen municipal court judges did not seek re-election in November. They are:
- Ashland Judge Jacob M. Fridline
- Barberton Judge Greg Macko
- Bellefontaine Judge John L. Ross
- Bellevue Judge Kenneth P. Fox
- Chardon Judge Mark J. Hassett
- Chillicothe Judge Thomas E. Bunch
- Fostoria Judge John D. Hadacek
- Fremont Judge Michael L. Burkett
- Girard Judge Michael A. Bernard
- Miamisburg Judge Robert E. Messham Jr.
- New Philadelphia Judge Mary Wade Space
- South Euclid Judge Patricia Ann Kleri
- Toledo Judge Francis X. Gorman
- Willoughby Judge Larry Allen.
In addition, three common pleas court judges chose to retire before the completion of their terms. They include:
- Pike County Juvenile/Probate Court Judge Jerry D. Catanzaro
- Scioto County Domestic Relations Court Judge David E. Spears
- Van Wert County Juvenile/Probate Court Judge Rex D. Fortney.
A couple judges shared some stories from their time on the bench and what they are looking forward to in retirement.
As to what he will miss the most, Judge Fortney said, “the challenges of developing a plan to help youths and their families that involves both some penalties for their behavior, but also a way for them to grow and mature. I will miss the satisfaction of seeing youth succeed and accomplish their goals. I will also miss the desk top conversations with attorneys and staff on a daily basis.”
Asked to name a significant accomplishment, Judge Burkett said after 21 years and resolving roughly 200,000 cases, it’s “the belief that I have that the citizens that had contact with the court system felt their case was handled efficiently, fairly, and impartially with integrity and candor.”
Judge Fortney’s significant accomplishment concerned space issues. “When I became judge, the juvenile and probate court offices and court room were small, cramped facilities in the basement of the court house and completely inadequate and unsafe,” he said. “After over five years of confrontation with the county commissioners, including a mandamus action, the juvenile and probate court moved into new offices and courtroom in the county annex. These offices should serve the needs of our county for many years into the future.”
As his time on the bench has come to a close, Judge Burkett has a family-oriented future in mind. “My time will be used by a patient wife, special daughter, three sons, young grandchildren, fishing, and running in 5K races,” he said. “That is, when I’m not volunteering with my church and local Kiwanis Club where I have 35 years of perfect attendance. I also may do a little visiting judge work.”