COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – After a long career on the bench, Branch County Magistrate David T. Coyle is planning to retire at the end of the year.
The first step to finding a new Magistrate took place on Thursday as the Branch County Board of Commissioners brought forward a request from District Court during their work session to post the position.
Coyle served five terms as Branch County District Court judge from 1978 until 2008. He then became the court’s Magistrate when Brent Weigle took over as District Court judge on January 1, 2009.
District Court Administrator Sarah Collins said they plan to post the position right away.
Collins said they want whoever is hired as Magistrate to start on November 1 due to the training that is needed for the position.
The Magistrate’s starting salary is just under $81,200 a year. It is a non-union position.
Formal action by Commissioners is expected to be taken next Tuesday.
I liked Coyle. I think he is the only one on any of those benches that is worthy of the position.