Lexington, Ky., Jan. 8, 2004 -- Members of a new Family Court Advisory Council for Fayette County met today for the first time before being introduced by Fayette Circuit Judge Mary C. Noble at a news conference at the Fayette Circuit Courthouse.

"This 29-member council represents some of the best and brightest leaders in Fayette County," said Judge Noble. "We believe Family Court is a better way to do business and the council's commitment demonstrates community support for this new program. The advisory council will provide a direct pipeline to the resources families need when dealing with legal crises." She added that Family Court Advisory Councils have been successful in other judicial circuits in identifying and effectively using community resources.

Joseph E. Lambert, chief justice of Kentucky and an outspoken proponent of Family Court, was also on hand. He praised Fayette County for dealing with the challenges of implementing Family Court, which became fully operational in June 2003, only six months after the program was announced. He also commended the council members for taking an active role in improving the work of the courts.

In addition, Chief Justice Lambert announced the candidates chosen by a Judicial Nominating Commission to fill two judicial vacancies in Fayette County.

Three attorneys from Fayette County have been nominated to replace District Judge Pamela Goodwine, who was elected to Fayette County Circuit Court in the November general election. The three nominees for the 22nd Judicial District are Joseph T. Bouvier, Thomas Bruce Bell and Kathy Stein. Bouvier attended the University of Kentucky and is an assistant Fayette County commonwealth's attorney. Bell attended Duke University and is currently with Fowler, Measle & Bell. Stein attended Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia, and Virginia Polytechnic and State University. She is currently a state representative and in private practice. All three nominees graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law.

Three attorneys from Fayette County have been nominated to replace Family Court Judge Laurance B. VanMeter, who was elected to the Kentucky Court of Appeals in the November general election. The three nominees for the 22nd Judicial Circuit are Donald P. Cetrulo, Timothy N. Philpot and James R. Stinetorf. Cetrulo attended Morehead State University and was former director of both the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Legislative Research Commission. He is currently in private practice. Philpot, a former state senator, attended Asbury College and the University of Kentucky. He is currently in private practice. Stinetorf attended Transylvania University and is currenty with Todd & Walter Attorneys at Law. All three nominees graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law.

Kentucky law provides for when a judicial post is vacant and must be filled by appointment. A Judicial Nominating Commission, comprised of the chief justice, two lawyers and four nonlawyer members, considers the applications and chooses three applicants for submission to the governor. The governor must appoint one of the three to the judgeship. The Judicial Nominating Commission, led by Chief Justice Lambert, met just prior to today's news conference. Gov. Ernie Fletcher's decision is expected soon

The appointment of the Family Court judgeship will bring the number of Fayette County Family Court judges to three. Today Family Court serves nearly 2 million Kentuckians in 42 counties and the program is considered a national model.

Fayette County Family Court Advisory Council members are listed below:

Don Ball, Ball Homes Inc. and Hope Center for Men
Anthany Beatty, chief of police, Lexington Police Department
Helen Bongard, family law attorney
Anita Britton, family law attorney
George Brown, council member, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
Allison Connelly, professor, University of Kentucky College of Law Clinical Program
Whitt Criswell, reverend, Northeast Christian Church
Luther Deaton, president, Central Bank & Trust Co
Ellie Durbin, licensed marriage and family therapist
Richard Gaines, reverend, Consolidated Baptist Church
Linda Gorton, nurse and LFUCG council member
Jim Gray, president and CEO, Gray Inc
W. Stokes Harris, family law attorney
Stephen Johnson, family counselor
Justice James Keller, Supreme Court of Kentucky
Kitty Lane, Realtor
Pam Miller, former mayor of Lexington
Lisa Minton, director, Chrysalis House/Women's Substance Abuse Treatment Program
Mary C. Noble, Fayette County Circuit Judge
Willis Polk, reverend, Imani Baptist Church
Dr. Paula Raines, attorney, family mediator and family counselor
Martha Rosenberg, family law attorney
Donna Smith, community activist
Alayne White, commissioner of social services
Natalie Wilson, family law attorney
Gary Wiseman, director of pupil personnel, Fayette County Schools
Kathy Witt, Fayette County sheriff
Cornelia Vaughan, president, Chrysalis House Board of Directors
Isabel Yates, former vice mayor of Lexington