Former Madison County General Sessions Judge Mark Patey has withdrawn his application for Jackson City Judge, leaving four candidates for the Jackson City Council to consider, WBBJ reported Monday.
Mayor Scott Conger confirmed the withdrawal in a statement, saying he was notified early Monday afternoon that Patey had respectfully withdrawn. The council will now vote on an appointment from the four remaining applicants.
The remaining candidates
Five attorneys had appeared at City Hall for public interviews on Tuesday, Oct. 27: Caroline Ballentine, Colin Morris, Mark Patey, Nathan Pride and Kortney Simmons, according to NBC 39. With Patey out, the four remaining names are Ballentine, Morris, Pride and Simmons.
How the vacancy arose
The seat opened after the death of City Court Judge J. Blake Anderson in September. Mayor Scott Conger said the council set up the application and interview process, and on Oct. 27 each applicant gave an opening and a closing statement and answered council questions about their judicial philosophies, applications and resumes. Conger described those open interviews as one step in the process the council established. Because the council is the appointing body, there was no question period for the public, though public comments will be accepted at the next council meeting.
Patey's situation
WBBJ reported that on April 15, Patey was suspended from performing his duties as General Sessions judge after a letter written by Chancellor Jeffery Atherton stated that he was suffering from mental health issues that substantially interfere with the prompt, orderly and efficient performance of those duties. In its Oct. 27 coverage, WBBJ said that suspension brought the process to a dead stop while the council tried to determine his eligibility.
What happens next
The council is scheduled to vote on the appointment at its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Conger said last week that any additional documents the council needs would go through his office so members have what they need to make an informed decision.
Sources: WBBJ, NBC 39