Phone Call

              In mid-January of 1987, I was in my office at Capital University Law School where I had taught since August, 1973. I was a Full Professor, with tenure, and Associate Dean for Students. I liked my job, but after 14 years I was restless to try something new.

            My secretary hollered (our intercom system was rather rudimentary): "You have a phone call on Line 2. They say it's the Governor's Office. Who knows?"

            I picked up the phone. "Can I help you?" The voice on the other end said, "Professor, this is Governor Dick Celeste. I want to talk to you about a vacancy on the Franklin County Municipal Court bench. I'd like to appoint you, if you want the job."

            I had been involved in Democrat politics in Columbus since 1960, when my buddy, Pete Miller, and I volunteered in the Ohio Democratic Party headquarters stuffing envelopes for the Kennedy for President Campaign. Three years before the Governor called, I had run for a vacant seat on the Franklin County Domestic Relations bench, and had been roundly trounced by the Republican candidate. The idea of becoming a judge was still there, but this call had come out of the blue.

            Peggy Bryant, an outstanding Municipal Court judge had just won election to the Court of Appeals. The vacancy created by her election had to be filled. My friend, Lew Williams, had just been appointed to a vacancy in Domestic Court.

            I thanked the Governor for his confidence in me, but told him that I really was uncertain about the Municipal Court appointment. I told him that I thought Domestic Relations was more in line with my experience. The Governor told me that he had appointed Lew Williams to Domestic Court, with an agreement that Lew would be re-appointed to a General Division seat as soon as one opened up. The resulting vacancy would be mine if I wanted it.

            Thus, on January 29, 1987, I began my 13-week career as a Franklin County Municipal Court Judge.

            Here is the one outstanding event I remember: I was Duty Judge on February 14, Valentine’s Day, 1987. When I got to the duty room at 8:30 a.m., couples were already lined up to get married. That is what I did all day long – married folks, from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. I skipped lunch that day.

            On May 12, 1987, I was appointed to the Franklin County Domestic Relations Court. Three or four years later, a couple appeared before me for their Dissolution of Marriage hearing. "You know what," said the wife, "you married us on Valentine Day in 1987!" The circle goes 'round and 'round.