Interviews To Assess Candidates Judge Haman’S Position Open; Council Process Open To Public

Sat., June 3, 2000

By Angie Gaddy angieg@spokesman.com

The Idaho Judicial Council will interview nine candidates for retiring Kootenai County Judge Gary Haman’s position.

Haman, who has served 20 years on the bench, announced earlier this year he would retire July 4.

Today, the eight-member Idaho Judicial Council will interview nine candidates before sending their nominations to Gov. Dirk Kempthorne for appointment.

Idaho State Bar Association members submitted names to the eight-member council. The council then did extensive background checks, including sending out questionnaires to members of the state bar, said Robert Hamlin, the council’s executive director.

Interviews begin at 10 a.m. in the county complex and will last about 30 minutes each. The public is encouraged to attend and can send letters to the council, Hamlin said.

On Monday, the council will send no less than two and no more than four names to the governor’s office. Kempthorne will then appoint a new 1st District judge.

“We really do solicit people’s input,” he said.

The nine applicants being considered are Coeur d’Alene attorney Randall Adams; 1st District Magistrate Barbara Buchanan; Coeur d’Alene attorney Jeff Child; Kootenai County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Lansing Haynes; Coeur d’Alene attorney Kenneth Howard; 1st District Magistrate John Luster; Poulsbo, Wash., attorney Drake Mesenbrink; Coeur d’Alene attorney John Mitchell; and Coeur d’Alene attorney Scott Wayman.

This sidebar appeared with the story:

Judge Gary Haman

Kootenai County native was among area’s longest-serving jurists.

Age: 62

Years on bench: 20 Strengths: Known for knowledge and expertise on property issues

Personal: Haman’s wife, Anita, is suffering from a rare cancer and the couple are researching treatment options around the country.

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Interviews To Assess Candidates Judge Haman’S Position Open; Council Process Open To Public

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