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News brief: Judge Buzzard to replace Judge Buzzard

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Centralia Municipal Court is getting a new judge, and it’s the third lawyer from the same family to sit on its bench.

James M.B. Buzzard was selected from five finalists for the position, and offered the job earlier this week, according to the city’s human resources director Candice Rydalch.

The city council must approve the contract on Tuesday before he can be sworn in, Rydalch said today.

Buzzard’s father, Steven Buzzard, retired last week from the position he held there since January 2005. Steven Buzzard had been appointed Centralia Municipal Court judge when his other son, R.W. Buzzard left the post to become a judge in Lewis County District Court.

James M.B. Buzzard works with Buzzard and Associates in Centralia, and has periodically served as a substitute judge for Centralia, according to Rydalch.

His background includes Seattle University Law School, University of Washington School of Law and he is a 1993 Centralia High School graduate, she said.

The expected salary for the judge in $4,666 per month.