BREAKING NEWS: Governor appoints new judge

Governor Mitch Daniels has selected Bruce MacTavish of rural Seymour as the first judge to preside over Jackson Superior Court 2 when it opens for business Jan. 2.

“I’m very happy and appreciate the opportunity to work with the people who serve Jackson County through the courts,” MacTavish said Wednesday afternoon. “I look forward to getting the court up and running.”

MacTavish said he expects to meet next week with Jackson County Board of Commissioners, Jackson Circuit Judge Bill Vance and Jackson Superior Court 1 Judge Bruce Markel III to start working on the logistics of opening the court.

That work will include hiring of staff and figuring out the logistics of handling people going through the court in terms of coexisting with other offices in the courthouse annex. That’s where commissioners have decided to at least temporarily house the court.

MacTavish, a Republican, was selected from among six applicants for the job. The others were Republican Stephanie Mellenbruch of Freetown and Democrats Susan Darlage and Joseph M. Robertson of Seymour, Loren Reuter of Nashville and Joseph Todd Spurgeon of New Albany. Reuter withdrew his application before the interview process started.

MacTavish will have two years on the bench and then face election to a six-year term in 2010. MacTavish has said he stand for election if appointed.

ORIGINAL POST: Governor Mitch Daniels has appointed Bruce MacTavish of rural Seymour to serve as judge of Jackson Superior Court 2, The Tribune has learned.

A phone call this morning from the governor's office informed MacTavish, who practices with the Markel, Markel, Lambring and MacTavish law firm in Brownstown, would be appointed, two sources confirmed.

For the full story, see Thursday's edition of The Tribune and watch TribTown.com for updates.