January 28th, 2009
Barton names four JP finalists

STAFF REPORT

Pct. 2 Commissioner Jeff Barton on Tuesday named four finalists for the Buda-area justice of the peace vacancy, saying he expects the commissioners court to appoint a replacement as early as next week.

Narrowed from 17 applicants, 10 of whom were eligible, the short list was vetted by a citizens committee appointed by Barton. They are:

• Rick Norton, a retired Austin Fire Department lieutenant with management and accident scene experience;
• Connie Freeman, a dental assistant and community volunteer;
• Scott Cary, a three-time Officer of the Year in the Austin Police Department and community volunteer and
• Janette Sheldon, a recent transplant from Kansas where she was a district court judge and one of the first women admitted to the Kansas Bar Association.

Longtime Pct. 5 Justice of the Peace O. Lamont Ramage retired at the beginning the year, two years before the end of his term.

Barton’s committee is made up of Niederwald city council member and Apple Inc. manager Art Braud; former administrative law judge Georgie Cunningham; Hays CISD teacher and former attorney Halley Ortiz; former University of Texas research scientist Jorge Anchondo; social worker Judy Burns and Buda city council member Sandra Tenorio.