11/01/2006

Two vie for judge in 46th Circuit

Janet Allen and Daniel Bebble are running

BY SHERI McWHIRTER

sherimcwhirter@hotmail.com

GAYLORD — Two former Otsego County political party leaders will face off in a nonpartisan election race for judge in the 46th Circuit Court.

The court system includes Crawford, Kalkaska and Otsego counties.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm appointed Janet Allen of Gaylord as 46th Circuit judge last year after a lengthy review process. Her appointment expires at the end of the year and she is running for the bench for the first time.

Her challenger is Gaylord attorney Daniel Bebble.

Allen, 55, said she's heard and decided about 1,300 cases since she started the job a year ago, including more than 200 felony sentencing hearings, several complicated evidentiary hearings and a few jury trials.

"It's a tremendous responsibility to make decisions that affect people's lives. I'm proud of all the cases I've handled," she said.

Allen said she has a personal goal to set a respectful tone when she's on the bench, and that extends to everyone in the courtroom.

Allen said she's also glad to have worked on the court's new electronic newsletter sent out to the public every couple of weeks, as well as a coming divorce clinic designed for people who represent themselves.

Allen was a civil litigation attorney in Crawford, Kalkaska and Otsego counties for 24 years, owned a law firm for seven years and is a former chairwoman of the Otsego County Democratic Party.

Bebble, 37, has been a civil litigation defense attorney in northern Michigan for 12 years. He also has legal experience in corporate, real estate, personal injury defense and criminal defense.

"I feel that I have the broad experience, community commitment and the integrity and professionalism needed to be a good judge. I have the citizens' concerns in mind." he said.

Bebble called Allen's appointment purely political and his conservative outlook is more in line with the community served by the 46th Circuit Court. He is a former Otsego County Republican Party chairman.

Bebble also said an ongoing lawsuit between the court and counties over employee benefits remains a pressing issue, especially with a $2 million legal bill that will ultimately be squared by local taxpayers.