Dellick selected for judgeship

The governor selected the county court judge over two other finalists.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- F. Theresa Dellick is Mahoning County's first female juvenile court judge.
Gov. Bob Taft's office announced today that Judge Dellick, a county court judge since 1999, was selected over two other finalists for the post. She begins her new job April 16.
The 42-year-old Canfield judge, who was on the bench in county court this morning, said through a clerk that she is "excited and honored."
"It was a hard choice for the governor to make," said Orest Holubec, Taft's director of boards and commissioners.
"They were all high-quality candidates. Judge Dellick is a good choice and the governor is proud to select her."
She was considered the odds-on favorite for the post even before she formally applied.
Finalists: A seven-member county Republican Party committee chose her and two other finalists from a field of 14 candidates.
The other two finalists were James E. "Ted" Roberts of Poland, president-elect of the county bar association and partner in a Youngstown law firm, and Robert R. Melnick of Green Township, a partner in a Youngstown firm.
It took Taft a month to decide.
The seat will be up for election in November 2002.
Local Republicans wanted to fill the seat with someone who is a proven vote-getter.
Judge Dellick was the only candidate to fit that bill because she was a sitting judge who has successfully run countywide.
The seat became vacant Jan. 4 with the suicide of Judge James M. McNally, who held that position since 1989.
While Judge Dellick is the first female juvenile court judge, she joins two other women on the common pleas bench -- Judges Maureen A. Cronin and Beth A. Smith.
The local Republican Party will now screen candidates and recommend three finalists for Judge Dellick's county court seat.