Council plans to ask the state to eliminate a judgeship

YOUNGSTOWN — At the request of Mayor Jay Williams, city council will consider a resolution Wednesday to ask the state Legislature to pass a law eliminating one of the city’s three municipal court judges by 2012.

Under Williams’ proposal, the reduction would occur Dec. 31, 2011, the last day of Municipal Court Judge Robert P. Milich’s current term.

Williams says the elimination would save money for the financially strapped city, and with Youngstown’s declining population there’s no need for three municipal court judges. He also points to data showing Youngstown judges handle about half as many new filings than the state average.

Elizabeth A. Kobly, the court’s presiding and administrative judge, said she didn’t know this resolution, and an ordinance to have the courts use money from its special projects fund rather than the general fund, were on city council’s agenda until asked about it today by a reporter with The Vindicator.

“I’m very disappointed [council] is taking this action behind our backs without even a courtesy call,” she said. “It would be terribly irresponsible for council to consider this without talking to the judges first.”

For the complete story, read Tuesday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com