Hagan, Gerberry seek to abolish third municipal judge seat

YOUNGSTOWN — State Rep. Robert Hagan of Youngstown, D-60th, announced Monday that he and state Rep. Ronald V. Gerberry, D-59th of Austintown, will introduced a bill Tuesday to abolish the third Youngstown municipal judge seat.

Hagan and Gerberry made the announcement at a Monday morning news conference outside Youngstown City Hall.

A vacancy in municipal court was created when Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr. retired July 31 — 17 months before his term was to expire.

County Court Judges David D’Apolito and Diane Vettori sat as part-time visiting judges between July 31 and Oct. 31, and the Ohio Supreme Court has approved the continuation of Judge Vettori as a visiting judge through Jan. 31.

The judge position has been in limbo, waiting until Gov. John Kasich appoints a replacement or the Ohio Legislature abolishes the seat.

Last week, the Mahoning County Bar Association announced it believed the court can operate efficiently with two full-time judges.

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