McLennan to seek a position on the bench in PI County
Don McLennan, who is serving a seventh term as Presque Isle County prosecutor, has publicly announced his candidacy for probate judge. Effective January 2007, the state legislature will have combined the part-time duties of the district and probate judgeships into a single, fulltime position for Presque Isle County. ?I am announcing my candidacy for that position,? McLennan said in a press release dated April 5.
The probate judge position would include some duties of district judge, and maybe some added circuit court duties. ?As county prosecuting attorney for the last 25 years, my goal has always been to accomplish justice,? McLennan said. ?My office has handled both civil and criminal cases, argued to protect children, fought to restore the losses of victims, and worked to provide a safe and healthy environment for citizens of this county.? McLennan has filed his Statement of Organization with the state, which is a prerequisite to filing of nominating petitions. According to county clerk Sue Rhode, candidates for probate judge need 40 signatures. The petitions need to be submitted to the state. In addition, he needs to file an affidavit of constitutional qualification along with an affidavit of identity.
INCUMBENT PROBATE Judge Ken Radzibon filed as a candidate March 20 with the county clerk?s office, seven days before the deadline for a candidate seeking re-election. Incumbent probate judges do not have to collect signatures and will have ?incumbent? listed before their name on the ballot. Radzibon plans on making a public announcement next week with the issuing of a press release. “Judge Radzibon and I have worked together for many years,? McLennan said. ?He is a friend, and we have discussed the fact that this new combination of district and probate courts would mean that he and I would compete for the same job.? ?He has more experience probating estates, and I have more experience in the criminal courts. I think that both of us are capable of doing a good job, but we each have different strengths and bring different perspectives. It is the American way to give voters a choice, and I’m sure that he joins me in looking forward to a positive campaign.”
McLennan, 56, is married to Julie (Grohowski) and is the father of three daughters. A Vietnam veteran, he graduated from Northern Michigan University and Detroit College of Law. He was first elected as Presque
?PEOPLE HAVE a right to trust that their judge will reflect community values and will work hard to solve the problems which we face,? said McLennan. ?Family disputes need honest and caring solutions; sentencing decisions should require the criminal to repay the victims? losses; and substance abusers need mandatory treatment to break them out of their cycle of addiction.? If there are no more candidates before the May 2 deadline, McLennan and Radzibon will square off in November. A third candidate will require a primary runoff in August.
In 1990, McLennan came only 55 votes short of unseating 26th Circuit Court Judge John Kowalski. It was on a day when the weather turned bad and possibly kept voters away from the polls. Voting precincts in Presque Isle County were without power and had to use candles. McLennan won Presque Isle and Montmorency counties, but lost Alcona by 100 and Alpena by 1,400. McLennan?s term as prosecutor ends in 2008.