Clark County District Court Judge Richard Melnick has been appointed to the Superior Court position vacated last month by the retirement of Judge Robert Harris, Gov. Chris Gregoire announced Friday.
The appointment is effective Feb. 1.
In announcing her decision, Gregoire said Melnick’s volunteer work was a selling point, including his long tradition of cooking hot Thanksgiving meals to homeless and low-income people.
“I am truly impressed with Judge Melnick’s contributions to his community, not only in the courtroom but as a volunteer,” Gregoire said in a statement. “It is clear that Judge Melnick deeply cares about the people he serves. I am confident that he will bring a high level of integrity to this position and serve the citizens of Clark County well.”
The governor interviewed several people for the position. Superior Court Commissioner Daniel Stahnke and Melnick were interviewed this week as finalists.
The Clark County Bar Association endorsed Stahnke in a preference poll and recommended him to the governor. Melnick had polled second.
Melnick, 54, has been a District Court judge since 2004 and is currently the presiding judge for Clark County’s substance abuse court. He also spent more than 20 years working at the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, most recently as a senior deputy prosecutor.
“I’m honored by the appointment by Gov. Gregoire,” Melnick said Friday afternoon. “They are big shoes to fill, but I hope I can fill Judge Harris’ shoes.”
“When the governor called me, I was very happy,” Melnick added.
Harris, 75, left office last month in accordance with the state’s mandatory retirement age for judges. Appointed in 1979, he was the state’s longest-serving Superior Court judge. He handled some of the county’s biggest cases.
Melnick will have to stand for election later this year to keep the post.
Melnick has long been recognized in the community as a volunteer turkey chef each Thanksgiving at Chronis’ Restaurant and Lounge in downtown Vancouver — a role he’s had since 1984. He also serves as a youth soccer and basketball coach and is a board member of the Today Foundation, which supports young athletes.
Asked why he applied for the post, Melnick said: “To me, it’s just a way to continue serving.”
“As a District Court judge, you learn the true impact you have on people, and I hope to continue that,” he said.
Clark County commissioners will appoint a replacement for Melnick’s vacated District Court position.
Superior Court judges have jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases involving more than $75,000, and divorces and probate cases. District Court judges handle misdemeanor criminal cases and small-claims matters.
Superior Court judges currently earn $148,832 a year. As a District Court judge, Melnick has been making $141,710 a year.
Laura McVicker: 360-735-4516 or laura.mcvicker@columbian.com.
