LIMA — Two longtime local attorneys and one relatively new to the legal scene are the three finalists to be sent to the governor for judge at Lima Municipal Court.
Brad Kelley, John Payne and David Rodabaugh are the finalists, said Keith Cheney, the chairman of the Allen County Republican Party. Officials from the governor’s office will interview the three, and the governor will then make an appointment to the job, Cheney said.
The three were chosen following interviews Tuesday night with the GOP screening committee.
The opening on the bench will come at the end of January with the retirement of Judge RicKard Workman. Workman, 68, announced his retirement in October, saying he was ready to call it a career after 23 years. He wants to spend more time with his family and grandchildren, he said.
Workman has two years left in his term. Whoever is appointed will have to run for the job for the next term.
Kelley has been an attorney since 1979 in private practice handling many different areas of law. Payne has been an attorney since 2007 and is a deputy law director for Lima. Rodabaugh has been an attorney since 1977 in various capacities, including serving as law director for Lima.
The other three who applied were Republicans Bob Grzybowski, Bob Honigford and Jerry Pitts.
By February, Lima Municipal Court will have two relatively new judges. Tammie Hursh was appointed last year to replace Judge William Lauber, who also retired.
