LINCOLN -- According to Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael G. Heavican, the Judicial Nominating Commission for County Court Judge in the 5^th Judicial District (consisting of Boone, Butler, Colfax, Hamilton, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Polk, Saunders, Seward, and York  Counties) will hold a public hearing in the District Court Courtroom at the Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th Street, in Columbus, Nebraska, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 20, 2022.  At the hearing, the commission will receive information on the qualifications of candidates to fill the vacancy in the office of County Court Judge due to the retirement of Judge Frank J. Skorupa, effective April 30, 2022.  The primary place of office for the judicial vacancy is Columbus, Platte County, Nebraska. 

Individuals interested in applying for the position can obtain a Judicial Vacancy Application package from the Nebraska Judicial Branch Web site at https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/administration/attorney-services-division/judicial-vacancy/application.  Completed applications may be submitted electronically or by hard copy and must be returned no later than 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 29, 2022.

Any member of the public wishing to present testimony for the commission’s consideration may do so one of two ways:

1. Written testimony provided in advance:  Those wishing to present written testimony or other pertinent information may do so by mailing the information to the Commission Chair no later than July 13, 2022, at the following address: Chief Justice Heavican, Nebraska Supreme Court, PO Box 98910, Lincoln, NE 68509 or email it to jackie.hladik@nebraska.gov.    
2. Oral testimony offered during the hearing:  Those wishing to present oral testimony may do so by attending the public hearing in the district court courtroom of the Platte County Court, Columbus, Nebraska.  All persons attending should be prepared for staggered admittance and restricted seating in order to maintain appropriate social distancing and comply with any directed health measures in effect. 

A listing of the members of the Judicial Nominating Commission can be found on the Nebraska Judicial Branch Web site at https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/administration/committees-commissions/judicial-nominating-commission-fifth-district-county-district-court.

For special accommodations relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please call (402) 471-3730.  For persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, please call the Nebraska Relay System, 7-1-1. AA/EOE.