Seven Submit their Names for County Court Judge, Sixth Judicial District

Seven Submit their Names for County Court Judge, Sixth Judicial District

LINCOLN – Joel E. Carlson, Norfolk; Louvontree Hunter, South Sioux City; Jeffrey M. Kurtz, Omaha; Edward H. Matney, Hartington; Patrick R. Runge, Omaha; Kimberly M. Watson, Dakota City; and Melinda B. Wicks, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, have submitted applications for appointment as County Court Judge, Sixth Judicial District (consisting of Burt, Cedar, Dakota, Dixon, Dodge, Thurston, Washington Counties). The primary place of office for the judicial vacancy is Dakota City, Nebraska, with the understanding that the appointed judge should also expect to assist with the dockets in Cedar, Dixon, Thurston and Burt counties. The vacancy is due to the retirement of Judge Kurt T. Rager.

The public hearing of the Judicial Nominating Commission will be held via WebEx in the County Court Courtroom, Dakota County Courthouse, 1601 Broadway, Dakota City, Nebraska, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on October 29, 2020. The Commission will review all applicants for the office at that time. 

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 October 22, 2020, at the following address: Justice Funke, Nebraska Supreme Court, P.O. Box 98910, Lincoln, NE 68509.   
     
  2. Oral testimony offered during the hearing:  Those wishing to present oral testimony may do so by attending the public hearing in the County Court Courtroom of Dakota County, Dakota City, Nebraska.  All persons attending should be prepared for staggered admittance and restricted seating in order to maintain appropriate social distancing. 

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-sixth-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.