District court judges to seek re-election

EPHRATA - Two longtime Grant County District Court judges announced recently their intention to run for re-election in November's election.

Judges Richard C. Fitterer and Janis Whitener-Moberg, district court judge positions 1 and 2, respectively are seeking their fifth and six terms on the county bench, according to a joint press release.

Fitterer, completing his 20th year as district court judge, is a former president of the District and Municipal Courts Judges Association (DMCJA), the state's largest association of judicial officers. He has also served on the Board of Judicial Administration (BJA), the policy-making body for judicial officers in the state. Fitterer currently serves on the Long Range Planning Committee of DMCJA, Trial Court Operations Funding Committee of the BJA, the Washington State Bar Association Council on Public Defense, and is the assistant presiding judge for the county district court. Prior to serving as judge, Fitterer spent 20 years in a private practice as an attorney working in civil and criminal law cases.

Whitener-Moberg, who has served 24 years as district court judge and is the court's presiding judge, is also a past president of DMCJA, and is former dean of the Washington State Judicial College. Attendance at the college is a mandatory requirement in the state for all new judges. Whitener-Moberg previously worked as a private attorney, working with state Labor and Industries claims and representing children in care of Child Protective Services.

"The Court appreciates its good working relationship with the Board of County Commissioners and other county officials, as well as the Cities of Grant County, with whom the county contracts to provide Municipal Court Services - that arrangement accommodates the court in bringing county court services to outlying areas with the least inconvenience to its citizens," according to the statement. "Judge Fitterer and Judge Whitener-Moberg continue to enjoy their work and the great relationship they share with their staff and the public. The judges hope to continue serving efficiently, effectively and fairly, with dignity and respect for the court and public."

Judge Tyson Hill, who was appointed to the newly-created district court judge position 3, also announced last month he will run in November's election.

Grant County District Court has 23 employees who covered 24,306 filings last year, generating more than $4 million in revenue.