Why Ask Why? — That 1st District Court Vacancy

As we mouse potatoes sit here in front of our computer screens instead of enjoying the viewtiful day outside, a judicial council is interviewing wannabes for that new district judge spot. Attorney Dennis Reuter is winding down from his half hour interview which began at 1 p.m., and Scott Wayman will give his pitch next. As mentioned in Inside Huckleberries, the council has already interviewed the following today: Richard Christensen, Jack Douglas, Saviraj Grewal, Lansing Haynes, Ken Howard, and Steve McCrea . I know and respect Haynes, Howard and McCrea. The others are probably good people, too. But it ticks me off that a group of legal eagles will winnow down the field and the governor will pick the new judge, sans public scrutiny a la Ramaro-Mitchell . On the other hand, some people would prefer that uber-attorneys picked all the judges sans public vote.

Question: Do you think judges should be elected or appointed? And: Do you have a favorite in this pack?