COLUMBIANA COUNTY Judge mulls his benefits

Critics call the practice double dipping, but it's legal.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Judge David Tobin of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court already has decided he'll run for a fourth six-year term in 2004.
What the longtime jurist is still pondering is whether he'll simultaneously collect -- if he's re-elected -- the retirement benefits due him after 30 years of public service, in addition to his pay.
Judge Tobin, 54, of East Liverpool, filed a letter recently with the county election board advising them that he's considering that possibility. Ohio law requires that such a letter be posted.
Judge Tobin said Tuesday he's also considering putting off collecting retirement benefits if he's elected to a fourth term.
Should the judge get re-elected and opt to collect retirement, he would get his $107,000 annual judge's salary and about $70,000 annually in retirement benefits, he said.
Working full time and collecting retirement is legal and is done so frequently by public officials.
Critics have dubbed it "double dipping," which Judge Tobin acknowledged is viewed dimly by many.
He defended it, though, noting that he wouldn't be collecting two salaries at once.
"This is money I'm entitled to receive," Judge Tobin said of his retirement benefits.
He likened the situation to that of a career military person retiring, and, while collecting a government pension for that service, working a full-time job.
Judge Tobin said he must decide by June 30 what option he's going to choose.
Points to career
If it's to receive retirement while serving on the bench, Judge Tobin said he's hopeful that the double-dipping tag won't hurt his bid for another term.
"I would hope people would look at my public service," he said. "They should count more than just this issue."
Judge Tobin's nearly 30-year public employment career includes some military time, part-time labor for the county and service as a public defender.
He served as county prosecutor for 10 years before being elected judge in 1986. Judge Tobin was re-elected to the bench in 1992 and 1998.
leigh@vindy.com