Bosque farms
The Bosque Farms village council met in executive session Monday and voted to name David Patterson temporary municipal judge until the next council session.
It was not clear whether a permanent judge would be approved at the next meeting.
But Bosque Farms Village attorney David Chavez said, after the meeting, that “the council appoints the municipal judge. The ordinance of Bosque Farms provides that the council will appoint the municipal judge. Mayor Baldwin recommended David Patterson, whose temporary appointment was approved by the council.”
“I recommended the appointment of David Patterson. They chose to table it — a done deal,” Baldwin said later.
Judge Tony Fuller resigned his position earlier this month without stating a reason. Fuller was elected two years ago and had two years left on his term of office.
Patterson held the post previously and has been serving as acting municipal judge since Fuller left.
Baldwin had stated that he would nominate Patterson to the full post at Monday’s special session. The judgeship is an elected position, but, according to a village ordinance, if a judge resigns, the council is to appoint another. The ordinance does not say whether the position should be advertised.
Councilor David Linthicum said, after the meeting, that “the council would like to discuss everybody’s option in this, not just the mayor’s wish. The premise is the ordinance states the governing body will make the appointment. We will talk to people and see who’s interested and who wants it.”
The council also voted to replace village administrator Julie Harding with two employees until the job is filled permanently. The two are Cheryl Hibdon, assistant clerk, and Kurt Moffatt, utilities director.
Hibdon will become acting clerk and Moffatt acting administrator.
Linthicum said the village employees had asked that the job be split until a permanent clerk is hired.
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April 18, 2024
