Michigan judges stop fighting over hiring

ALLEGAN, Mich. (AP) - Two judges in western Michigan have agreed to a cease-fire in an unflattering dispute over hiring staff. Allegan County Judge Kevin Cronin can hire a law clerk and secretary. The only restriction is he can't hire Chris Anderson, a former court employee. In February, Cronin asked the Michigan Supreme Court to intervene after Allegan County Chief Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker blocked the hiring of Anderson and said a pool of clerks would serve all judges. The Supreme Court dismissed the case this week after Cronin and Bakker reached an agreement with assistance from a mediator. They've also agreed to talk monthly - in the presence of an out-of-town judge. Separately, Allegan County is being asked to pay roughly $12,000 in fees charged by Cronin's attorney, Doug Van Essen. Published: Fri, Aug 01, 2014