Columbus may be without a permanent city judge for a month or more, but there are no shortage of candidates expressing interest.
Several city councilmen reported multiple lawyers, five or more in some cases, have contacted them in recent days to express interest in the position vacated when Judge Curtis Austin Sr. passed away Wednesday in Birmingham.
“A bunch of candidates have called to ask for support,” said Ward 3 Councilman Charlie Box.
“I”ve had several people call and express interest in the position,” said Ward 4 Councilman Fred Stewart.
Ward 1 Councilman Gene Taylor reported “quite a few people” have called him to express interest and Ward 6 Councilman Bill Gavin has spoken to “five or six” candidates about the job.
Each councilman reached for comment declined to name which lawyers had made contact, although City Public Defender L. Nicole Clinkscales and Columbus attorney Marc Amos are among those rumored to be interested in the position.
Brooksville City Prosecutor Monique Montgomery, whose practice is based in Columbus, acknowledged she will apply for the position.
Clinkscales declined to comment on her intentions Monday night following a meeting of the Columbus Planning and Zoning Commission, to which she was recently named.
“I”m glad to be here on the board and I”m looking forward to serving. When (the city judge) position is made publicly available, then I”ll comment on my decision at that time,” she said.
The city judge position pays $42,000 a year for part-time work along with health insurance and state retirement benefits, and allows the judge to continue practicing law.
Gavin said the city council will likely approach its appointment of a new city judge like a typical job opening, advertising the position and accepting applications and resumes for 30 days. A committee will then be formed to review applications and arrange interviews with chosen candidates.
“What we”re trying to do is make sure this is fair to everyone and take the politics out of it,” said Gavin.
Chief Operations Officer David Armstrong said the issue will likely be discussed at the next council meeting Oct. 19.
In the mean time, City Attorney Jeff Turnage is waiting for a reply to a query submitted to the State Attorney General”s office.
“The city charter says the judge of the police court has to be a qualified elector in the city. The state statute says he or she must be a qualified elector in the county. So we”re writing to get an opinion on which of those two we ought to follow,” he said.
A law degree is the only other requirement to serve as city judge.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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