Minden attorney named East Fork Justice of the Peace

There's a new justice of the peace in the East Fork Township and his name is Tom Perkins.

Perkins was selected by Douglas County commissioners by a 3-2 vote on Thursday evening.

Supporting the former Douglas County district judge, prosecutor and defense attorney were Nancy McDermid, Greg Lynn and chairman Mike Olson. Commissioner Doug Johnson said that while he had nothing against Perkins, he would have preferred that the only non-attorney, Ursula McManus get the job.

"I didn't expect it," Perkins said. "There were a lot of terrific people on the list. There was a lot of pressure on the board."

Perkins will be paid $88,000, which is the bottom of the scale. With benefits, Olson pointed out that Perkins will be making $130,000.

Perkins will take office on Nov. 15, taking over for interim Justice of the Peace Steve McMorris. McMorris has been filling in after former East Fork Justice of the Peace Jim EnEarl resigned in August.

Perkins and wife Ellen went out to celebrate her birthday after the selection.

Olson thanked Judge Dave Gamble and the panel that winnowed down the field of candidates for the position from three-dozen to five.

"I talked to most of the candidates and they all said this was a good procedure," he said. "These are all qualified, good applicants. Each could do the job well."

Olson pointed out that the position will be up for election in two years and any of the candidates could run for it.

"Then you can let the public decide if we made a good decision," he said.

All five applicants were in the audience when the decision was made. In addition to Perkins and McManus, attorneys Erik Levin, Jennifer Yturbide and Ron Cauley were finalists for the job.