by Paul Payne, source: Press Democrat
Retirements will force the turnover of nearly a third of the Sonoma County Superior Court bench, stripping away years of case-handling experience and setting the stage for judicial appointments from Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
At least three of 23 judges and commissioners are expected to sit out the June elections and another four have announced they are retiring mid-term, necessitating governor appointments.
Presiding Judge Gary Nadler said the situation is unprecedented and will alter the makeup of the bench.
“It’s a considerable loss,” Nadler said. “These are people who each have more than 20 years on the bench. It takes time for a judge to grow into the position.”
Nine of the court’s 19 judges and four commissioners are up for re-election in the June primary, but three of them — Lawrence Antolini, Elaine Rushing and Cerena Wong — are not expected to run.
Another four judges whose terms had not expired have left or are leaving at the end of the year. They are Judges Arnold D. Rosenfield and Knoel Owen and Commissioners Stephany Joy and Cynthia Deneholz.
We all love Stefany Joy and will miss her dearly…