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Kremers new chief

By: dmc-admin//September 8, 2008//

Kremers new chief

By: dmc-admin//September 8, 2008//

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ImageHours after the office of chief judge in District 1 became vacant, the state Supreme Court appointed Judge Jeffrey A. Kremers to occupy it.

Kremers, who had served as deputy chief judge under Chief Judge Kitty K. Brennan for the last three years, accepted the appointment that took effect Sept. 8, the same day Brennan began her appointment to the District I Court of Appeals.

“I’m about three hours into the job at this point, so I don’t know what I don’t know,” joked Kremers on Monday morning.

More seriously, the new chief said his primary objective is to appoint two deputy chief judges as well as his replacement as presiding judge in the Felony Division.

Kremers did not indicate whether Judge Mel Flanagan, who served as the other deputy chief to Brennan, would continue to serve in that capacity. He also declined to speculate on which of the 12 judges in the Felony Division would be named presiding judge or who would replace him in that division.

“Anyone of them could be a candidate, but to a certain extent, it depends on who is interested,” said Kremers, who planned to make the appointments within the next week.

“It’s a lot of extra work.”

Kremers will also have plenty on his agenda in the coming weeks, with impending county budget discussions at the top of the list. The 2009 county court system budget proposal calls for approximately $52 million in expenditures, roughly a $3 million increase from 2008.

The new chief met with County Executive Scott Walker briefly during his first day on the job, but said any serious budget negotiations won’t take place until later in the month, after Walker submits his county budget proposal.

Kremers said he will rely on his past administrative experience working with Brennan on budgetary issues, but admitted there will be a learning curve.

“I certainly don’t have the depth of knowledge Judge Brennan had, but I will be working hard to get up to speed,” said Kremers, who joined the court in 1992.

He will initially serve as chief judge through next August, completing Brennan’s second two-year term. Kremers said the Supreme Court will reevaluate the position next spring and decide whether a new chief will be appointed to a new two-year term.

“My plan is to remain chief judge, but that is up to the Supreme Court,” said Kremers.

Grau named chief in Ninth District

ImageIn addition to Kremers, the Supreme Court also appointed Judge Gregory E. Grau as chief judge in District 9.

Grau joined the Marathon County Circuit Court in 1995 and previously served as deputy chief judge in the district. He succeeds Chief Judge Dorothy L. Bain, who resigned from the bench due to health concerns.

“District 9 is known for its innovations, and its ability to develop programs that are replicated across the state,” said Grau, whose appointment runs through July 31, 2010.

“From training courtroom language interpreters to improving services to people who represent themselves in court, the Ninth District has been on the leading edge as we work to make our justice system the best it can be. I have been proud to be a part of that, and am honored to lead the district.”

Grau is expected to appointed his deputy chief judge soon.

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