Where is our new judge?

We’re short a judge in Carlton County, and it’s time a replacement is named by Governor Walz.

Last fall, Judge Mark Munger announced his retirement and then Governor Dayton’s judicial selection committee selected three nominees to replace him.

At the same time, Carlton County judge Leslie Beiers, who replaced judge Dale Wolf when he retired five years ago, asked to move her chambers to Duluth, leaving Carlton County with only one judge, and a slew of “visiting” judges to handle our county’s legal needs.

Leaving aside the issue that former Governor Dayton should have appointed a local lawyer to replace Judge Wolf in the first place — thereby keeping judicial oversight within our community and avoiding the problem of judges using Carlton County as a “gateway” to a Duluth judgeship — we need Governor Walz to appoint someone, and soon.

The three selected by the selection committee are still in contention, but Judge Munger retired just as Governor Dayton’s term expired, so it’s the new governor who must appoint our judge. Only one of the three is a Carlton County resident, by the way, although all three would make excellent judges.

Gov. Walz has, understandably, been busy getting his administration assembled. But he’s taking too long to fill the vacant seat, and our justice system in Carlton County is feeling the strain. Justice delayed is justice denied, it’s been said, and it’s time he finish the work to appoint a judge to fill the seat. Carlton County deserves it.

We welcome your input to the Pine Knot News community newspaper. Send your thoughts, letters, or news to [email protected].