Clallam: Commissioners OK idea of third judge; funding’s the key

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, October 18, 2005

PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners will support a request for a third Superior Court judge.

They don’t, however, know how they’ll pay for one.

Commissioners Mike Chapman, R-Port Angeles, and Steve Tharinger, D-Dungeness, indicated their approval during a work session Monday.

Although their two votes are all the proposal needs, they will delay formal consent until they can include Commissioner Mike Doherty, D-Port Angeles, who is on vacation.

All three commissioners deferred the decision a week ago, requesting cost estimates from Sheriff Joe Martin and Prosecuting Attorney Deb Kelly.

Both said they each would need two more employees to staff a third Superior Court.

However, Superior Court Judge Ken Williams told commissioners that he and Judge George Wood want the third court to handle only civil cases.

That would preclude a need for new prosecutors or deputies.