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Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Ind. Courts - Even more on: "New judge's hires stir up controversy"
"Pay raises for court workers rescinded" is the headline to Ben Zion Hershberg's story today in the Louisville Courier Journal. From the report:
The Clark County Council voted yesterday to rescind controversial raises for two new Circuit Court employees after Judge Abe Navarro admitted that he acted in haste in asking for them.Navarro, the county's newest judge who was appointed last month to complete the term of retired Judge Daniel Donahue, asked for the raises that were approved June 9 to be rescinded, saying in a statement that he had "found the wisdom to seek guidance. This guidance was found and well received in Judge Steven Fleece, the other judges, and members of this council."
Navarro, a Republican, had dismissed two longtime court employees to make room for David Buskill, the county Republican chairman, as court administrator, and Jeremy Snelling, son of Councilman Monty Snelling, as bailiff.
But the changes brought strong objections from the county's three Democratic judges, and Buskill subsequently turned down the job. Navarro, in his statement, said he also had withdrawn the offer to Buskill.
Jeremy Snelling accepted the job as bailiff. But after yesterday's vote he will be paid the $24,000 that bailiffs get in each of the county's courts rather than the $30,000 the council had approved earlier. * * *
[Judge] Fleece, in a statement yesterday, said he believes the controversy has ended with the two former employees who were dismissed by Navarro finding new jobs.
Cindy Comstock took a new position in the county clerk's office, Fleece's statement said, and Patty Ballard was hired by a law firm.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on June 24, 2008 08:12 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts