The following story written by Managing Editor Samantha Swindler from The Times Tribune out of Corbin, Kentucky takes a close look at the procedures for selecting the members to fill one of our state's district judicial nominating commissions.
Although, the judicial nominating commission is limited to nominating three lawyers to fill a judicial vacancy, their role is a critical element to the process that begins with the vacancy, an announcement of that vacancy, applicants for nominees to fill that vacancy, consideration of the nominees with three names going to the governor, and then the governor appointing one of the three to fill the vacancy until the next election.
Now, I have learned the process of even selecting members for the commission is an area of importance, as well.
I would like to add that this story is an excellent example of the value and quality of local investigatory journalism --- an issue was identified, the facts accumulated, and the point to be made clearly expressed following those facts. Impressive. Never underestimate the importance of the local journalist and newspaper. It is easy for "bloggers" to take the "real" journalist's "blood, sweat, and tears" in the form of their shoe-leather investigatory work and then casually offer an opinion, but it is always the facts that are critical to our understanding of the world we live in.
Unlike the pundits on television where "news" and "commentary" are almost always blurred and indistinguishable, the newspaper usually does a better job of keeping the two distinct so that opinions do not become fact by repetition and the passage of time.
I have not included the entire story; just the opening paragraphs. Please click on the heading for the remainder of Ms. Swindler's story on line at the Times Tribune.
Finally, thanks to a local reader for bringing this to my attention for posting. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Last-minute Republicans make judicial nominating commission
By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor
Two Republicans assigned to the 27th Judicial District Nominating Commission (serving Laurel and Knox counties) were both — until two weeks before their appointments — former Democrats, one of whom donated to Gov. Steve Beshear’s primary campaign.
Judicial nominating commissions are chaired by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and consist of two representatives of the Kentucky Bar Association and four lay members of the local counties represented — two from each major political party. When a judicial vacancy occurs, the local nominating commission chooses three nominees to submit to the governor, who has 60 days to appoint a replacement.
Ruthie Hoskins and Everett Morgan were both appointed by Gov. Steve Beshear on Jan. 4 to serve on the 27th Judicial Nominating Commission as lay members representing the Republican party.
Both will serve for terms expiring Jan. 1, 2012.
Click on heading for remainder of editorial.
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