BY ALEX PIAZZA
apiazza@record-eagle.com
SUTTONS BAY — Gov. Jennifer Granholm won't appoint a replacement for a Leelanau County probate judge who died nine months ago.
Granholm plans to forego the appointment process and leave the vacancy in the hands of Leelanau County voters, despite previous assurances from her office that an appointment was forthcoming.
"Given that the needs of the court are currently being well served by visiting judges and the filing deadline for judicial candidates is upon us ... the governor thought it best to allow the voters to select the next judge," said Megan Brown, a Granholm spokeswoman.
Five local attorneys filed necessary paperwork for election to Leelanau County's probate and family court, a position made vacant after Judge Joseph Deegan's unexpected July death.
Marian F. Kromkowski, Larry J. Nelson, Joseph T. Hubbell, Michael J. Long and Sara W. Brubaker all filed for the judgeship before Tuesday's deadline.
The two candidates with the most votes in the August primary will compete in November's general election. The elected judge will serve a partial two-year term to complete Deegan's term.
Several attorneys traveled to Lansing last fall to interview for the vacancy, but the governor's office twice ignored its own promised deadlines. Candidates were informed this week they won't be appointed.
"I don't know how to respond to it because I don't know the rationale," said Long, a Traverse City attorney and former North Carolina police officer. "We roll with the punches and move on."
Nelson, a Leland attorney and former Leelanau County prosecutor, said the news didn't surprise him.
"So much time had passed that I'd assumed that was the case," he said.
Hubbell plans to campaign in the evening after he leaves his day job as Leelanau County prosecutor.
"In addition to my job, I have other obligations with my family," he said. "Nevertheless, I intend to hit the campaign trail after hours."
Brubaker, former prosecutor for Leelanau County and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, expects name recognition to be an important factor in the August primary. She plans to attend meetings and knock on doors during the next four months to connect with residents.
Kromkowski contends her 17 years of experience as a judicial referee across northwest Michigan gives her an edge.
"My experience is unique among all the candidates," she said. "I'm not a politician."
Meanwhile, three local judges continue to manage Deegan's former duties. Domestic cases and administrative duties are managed by 13th Circuit Court Judges Philip Rodgers and Thomas Power while Judge David Stowe handles probate and family cases.
"You cannot buy a local election," said Rodgers, who doesn't plan to endorse a candidate. "You need to go out and meet people. You cannot win an election from your office."
