Published: June 13, 2008 10:30 pm      

New judge's hires stir up controversy

New Clark County Circuit Court Judge Abe Navarro this week requested appropriations from the County Council to shift job responsibilities within his office — and the outcome has stirred up questions regarding political and personal favors.

Two court reporters were let go from the circuit court, and in their place, Navarro created a court administrator position and hired a new bailiff. The previous bailiff will now serve as a court reporter.

In asking for the appropriations, Navarro raised the new bailiff’s salary from $24,000, which is the average starting pay, to $30,000. The court administrator will be paid just more than $35,000, Navarro said.

Navarro, who was recently appointed by Gov. Mitch Daniels, tapped Clark County Republican Chairman David Buskill to serve as the court administrator. Navarro hired Jeremy Snelling to serve as the new bailiff. Buskill has not officially accepted the job. Snelling is already training for his position.

Some see the appointment of the two republicans as politically motivated, though Navarro denies that is the case.

“It has to do with qualifications and work ethic,” he said. “With David’s pedigree and Jeremy’s experience, I was lucky to get them. These are the individuals who can do the job and do it correctly.”

Navarro cited Buskill’s experience working as a clerk for the Indiana Supreme Court, and Jeremy Snelling’s experience in business and as a third-degree black belt.

The county council’s approval of the appropriations has caused concern among the members, particularly since Jeremy Snelling is Councilman Monty Snelling’s son, and he would directly benefit from the approval. Monty Snelling introduced the appropriations request and made the motion to approve it.

“If we could do it all over again, I would have waited to vote or asked Snelling to abstain,” said Council President David Abbott. “I don’t think it looks good for the council.”

Monty Snelling now agrees he should have recused himself from the vote.

“In hindsight, I should have abstained, but I didn’t think it was too big a deal,” he said. “I don’t think it was a conflict of interest.

“If they want to play political games they can play with themselves, I’m not going to go along with it. There’s roughly 100 people working in the courthouse, and now there’s two republicans and 98 democrats.”

Abbott said he was unaware who was being hired for the positions. Councilwomen Barbara Hollis and Jackie Dickman were the only council members to vote against the measure.

Hollis said she had multiple concerns that prevented her from approving the appropriations request.

“I was concerned that (Navarro) had only been in office a week and already needed to reorganize, and I was concerned about him paying outside the salary matrix,” Hollis said. “It seemed to me that he was getting rid of the highest paid people to get people in at what he wanted to pay them.

“I don’t think (Monty Snelling) should have been the one to introduce it and push it through; it seemed personal.”