Yavapai County District 3 Supervisor Chip Davis was amazed by Gov. Janet Napolitano’s quick appointment of an additional county court.

Yavapai County District 3 Supervisor Chip Davis was amazed by Gov. Janet Napolitano’s quick appointment of an additional county court.

“It was super surprising,” Davis said.

His response was regarding the speed with which Napolitano approved a seventh superior court for the county.

“They did that at light speed. The request was just over a month ago,” Davis said.

Julie Ayres, Yavapai County administrator, put out the notice quickly because applications for the judgeship will go out in October.

“We want to give attorneys in the Verde Valley time to evaluate it. It’s not a job that you can quit one day and move on to the next. They have on going cases and practices to consider,” Davis said.

The job does not automatically go to an already seated judge.

The governor makes this type of appointment to the bench, limiting the local political

influences, Davis said. She is slated to do so by January 2008.

Whoever gets the nod will have to run

for the position in November 2008 general election.

“It makes it hard on whoever gets it since they won’t have a lot of time to be really considered an incumbent. On the other hand, it opens it up and makes it a little more level playing field,” Davis said.

Davis made it clear that this will be a Verde Valley court. He hopes to find someone who lives in the valley, cares about the community and won’t leave.

“We do not need any transient judges,” he said.