A judicial appointment in a MidMichigan county makes history and causes controversy.
For the first time, a female judge will preside in Tuscola County.
However, one of the applicants says only females were being considered.
"I have always felt that I would make a good judge," says Vassar attorney John Bishop. He has applied for judicial appointments and ran for judicial seats in the past.
The 27-year lawyer threw his hat in the ring for the retiring probate Judge W. Wallace Kent's position earlier this month.
Bishop says he heard nothing back, called the State Bar Association, that told him his application was not forwarded by the governor.
"I realized I was not going to be interviewed. It was later that I found out that none of the men's applications were forwarded to the State Bar for interviews."
Two men applied. Three women applied. Only the women were interviewed.
Governor Granholm selected Cass City attorney and Tuscola County Commissioner Amanda Roggenbuck.
"I feel very fortunate that the governor has put her trust in me, and I told her I would do a really good job and work very hard and that's exactly what I plan on doing," says Roggenbuck.
The governor's spokeswoman Katie Carey says, "Over the last eight years, Governor Granholm has been committed to appointing the most qualified applicants to judicial positions. This is the case here. She feels Amanda Roggenbuck has the best qualifications and approach for this position."
John Bishop says the problem is in the process. He says it was unfair and not right. He says if only the male applicants were interviewed, there would be the same problem.
Bishop says it's not sour grapes, and that he has nothing against Roggenbuck. "She's a very nice person," says Bishop.
He says he has nothing to gain at this point other than to point out what he says is a flawed system that he hopes will be changed in the future.
Amanda Roggenbuck will take over for the retiring judge Decemer 31st. Training for new judges will begin in January.
