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After 33 years in public service, judge to retire in 2010
The veteran judge plans to retire around June 1.
LISBON — Judge David Tobin of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court said he will not run for re-election next year.
The announcement, made Friday, had been a courthouse rumor for some time.
The judge said he plans to retire probably around June 1. He added that he will turn 61 in June. His term expires in December 2010.
“I am making my intentions known now to permit planning by those who may be interested in seeking the position,” he said in a statement. The judge is a Democrat.
The governor will appoint someone to fill his position after his resignation is official.
His decision will cap 33 years in public service.
He was first elected to the bench in 1986, and was re-elected in 1992, 1998 and 2004 without opposition. Before that, he served as the county’s prosecuting attorney from 1977 to 1986.
“I feel honored to have been in office these 33 years and believe that this is the best time to retire,” he said.
He said his two sons are grown. They are Atty. Louis Tobin of Columbus and David Tobin III of Cleveland.
He and his wife, Becky Paisley Tobin, have traveled in recent years, including to Ireland. They plan to visit Scotland, where her family is from. He said they also may visit Alaska,
The judge praised his “very professional staff,” adding, “They made it easy for me to do my job.”
Judge Tobin and Judge C. Ashley Pike, a Republican, helped modernize the court programs, including creation of a mediation program that helped to resolve cases. They also were instrumental in lobbying county officials for the much-needed renovation of the courthouse.
wilkinson@vindy.com