“Lawyer, paralegal square off for justice position”

Love this news story!

"Columbia Falls paralegal Jerry O’Neil and Whitefish attorney Mark Sullivan were the top vote-getters among four candidates for Flathead County Justice of the Peace in the June primary.

"Now they face off Nov. 7 for the judge job that will expand from part time to full time in January. Incumbent Dale Trigg is not running for re-election.

[snip]

"The Flathead County commissioners briefly changed the requirements for the position last spring, requiring the judge to be a lawyer.

"O’Neil challenged that and the commissioners withdrew the requirement.

"Sullivan said he believes the justice of the peace should be an attorney; O’Neil said there is no reason to change the requirements now."