YOUNGSTOWN Bar snubs a judge in picking favorites

The judge, who quit the bar association two years ago, said he was not surprised by the vote.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Probate Court Judge Timothy P. Maloney is the only sitting judge in Mahoning County seeking re-election not to get a recommendation from the county bar association.
The snub comes as no surprise to him.
The judge said he has upset members of the bar by "holding their feet to the fire" in probate court and making them more responsible.
No longer a member
He said he became disenchanted with the bar association about two years ago and refused to renew his membership.
"I've found the bar to not be responsive to my needs," Judge Maloney said. "I'm not surprised by their decision. I'm not disappointed by it. The bar continues to engage in this."
Judge Maloney, a Democrat, said he obtained the bar's recommendation six years ago, the last time he ran for office.
"What changed their minds?" he asked.
Ted Roberts, president of the association, said he would not try to interpret the action. "The members of the bar speak through the vote," he said.
To obtain a recommendation from the bar, a judicial candidate has to receive a vote of more than 50 percent of those casting ballots. At least 60 of the association's 585 members have to vote.
There were 329 votes cast for this ballot, Roberts said.
Who's recommended
Maureen A. Sweeney, Judge Maloney's Republican challenger, was recommended by the bar, as were eight other judicial candidates, including six incumbents.
Judge John M. Durkin of common pleas court was the only candidate to be highly recommended.
A person needs more than 75 percent to get that designation, Roberts said.
The two others not recommended were James Callen, a common pleas judge candidate, and Thomas E. Hough, a 7th District Court of Appeals write-in candidate.
skolnick@vindy.com