14 apply for Supreme Court vacancy

TOPEKA—The names of 14 persons were submitted by the noon Monday deadline as applicants to fill a vacancy on the Kansas Supreme Court created by the retirement of Justice Donald Allegrucci, effective January 8, 2007.

The Supreme Court Nominating Commission will review the applications and conduct interviews November 7-8, with the names of three on the list to be submitted to Governor Kathleen Sebelius shortly after for appointment. Sebelius will have 60 days in which to make her selection.

Applying for the position are William D. Biles, Shawnee; Glenn R. Braun, Hays; Katherine Carter, Jamestown; Martha J. Coffman, Lawrence; Henry R. Cox, Shawnee; Judge Robert W. Fairchild, Lawrence; Richard L. Hathaway, Tecumseh; Judge Stephen D. Hill, Topeka; Judge Lee A. Johnson, Topeka; Judge Steve A. Leben, Fairway; Judge Thomas E. Malone, Topeka; Timothy J. Moore, Wichita; John M. Parisi, Leawood, and Judge Gregory L. Waller, Wichita.

Members of the public are encouraged to comment on the qualifications of any of the applicants by writing to Richard C. Hite, c/o Carol G. Green, 301 S.W. 10th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66612. All written comments will be distributed to the full Commission for their review.

The Supreme Court Nominating Commission is chaired by lawyer Richard C. Hite of Wichita. Others on the Commission include: First Congressional District, Kerry E. McQueen of Liberal (lawyer member) and Dr. Janet A. Juhnke of Salina (lay member); Second Congressional District, Patricia E. Riley of Topeka (lawyer member) and Dale E. Cushinberry of Topeka (lay member); Third Congressional District, Thomas J. Bath Jr. of Overland Park (lawyer member) and Vivien B. Jennings of Fairway (lay member); Fourth Congressional District, Lee H. Woodard of Wichita (lawyer member) and David N. Farnsworth of Wichita (lay member).