Judge Blankenship to step down to accept new opportunity

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Published: Tuesday, 21 February 2017 19:24

Pulaski Superior Court Judge Patrick Blankenship has announced he is stepping down from the bench, effective April 3, to accept an offered opportunity with a company in Florida.

He has two years remaining on his current six-year term in office. It is the responsibility of the Indiana Governor's office to appoint a replacement to complete the term; however a pro-tem judge may fill the post until an appointment can be made.

"I would like to thank you for your support for the past 16 years," Blankenship wrote in a letter to the community. "With our daughter graduating this spring from college, the timing feels right that I can now pursue some other avenues that have been offered to me. ... (My wife) Theresa and I have hoped for such an opportunity and believe this to be a favorable time to act. We feel unbelievably fortunate for the experience to have raised our children in this community and will be forever grateful for the love and support we have received."

Blankenship was first elected to the Superior Court in 2000, and re-elected in 2006 and 2012.

The Pulaski County Superior Court (of the 59th Judicial District, is a court of general jurisdiction, hearing both criminal and civil cases. The court processes approximately 3,000 cases per year with the goal of serving the public in a most efficient manner, according to pulaskionline.org.

Blankenship's new position, with Wastebuilt, will be in an area of Florida he and his wife eventually hope to retire, according to Mrs. Blankenship. The job opportunity could not be held for the two years the judge has remaining in his term, she said.

Wastebuilt is a national provider to the waste and recycling industry. It has locations in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Texas and Wisconsin. The Indiana location, in Winamac, was formerly known as GalFab.

"We weighed our options and decided to take the leap of faith," Mrs. Blankenship explained, adding that she will remain in her teaching position with the Eastern Pulaski schools at present.