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Judge David Tobin of Columbiana Co. to retire July 2
By D.A. WILKINSON
LISBON
Judge David Tobin of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court is retiring, but how he will be replaced isn’t clear.
Judge Tobin, who turns 61 this month, has told the Ohio Supreme Court that his last day will end at midnight July 2.
By law, Gov. Ted Strickland can choose a replacement now or wait till the outcome of the fall election.
Judge Tobin wrote to Strickland saying, “Since there is a contested election this year for this judgeship and time is short, I have contacted the Supreme Court who has agreed to appoint visiting judges to fill in until someone is elected if you chose not to make an appointment [now].”
Judge Tobin’s term ends at the end of this year.
Those who will preside are Judge John Bruzzese of Jefferson County and retired common pleas Judges William Martin of Carroll County and John Robert Hoffman Jr. of Stark County.
Chief Justice Eric Brown approved the assignments.
Judge Tobin, a Democrat, said he did not ask the judges about their political affiliations.
Under a program created by Strickland, potential judicial replacements are screened by a panel that makes a recommendation to him.
Strickland’s press secretary, Amanda Wurst, said the process is beginning. It was not clear when a recommendation will go the governor.
In the fall election, Democrat Judge Melissa Byers-Emmerling of East Liverpool Municipal Court is seeking Judge Tobin’s seat, as is Republican Juvenile Court Magistrate Scott Washam.