Bartlett names city court judge
Tim Francavilla tapped to replace the late Freeman Marr
Tim Francavilla was named Tuesday night as the new Bartlett city court judge, selected over seven other applicants.
Francavilla, an associate attorney with the Brannon Law Firm, will serve until November when the Division 1 position — previous- ly held by the late Freeman Mar r—is on the city’s municipal ballot.
The person elected in November will serve the remainder of Marr’s term, which runs until 2018.
Franc a villa said he plans to run for the office in November.
“I promise you and the citizens of Bartlett t hat I’ll do my very best,” he told the board after his selection , adding: “I would be re miss if I didn’ t say I feel honored to take Judge Marr’s former seat . He was a great individual and man.”
Marr, who served as judge in Division 1 since 1973, died in December, creating the vacancy. Either Francavilla or Phillip Walker, the other front- runner for the opening, sat as special judges for the bulk of Marr’s normal court dates since the first of the year.
Eight lawyers applied for t he vaca ncy. The board interviewed seven of them in a work session two weeks ago.
Lorenzo Derek Renfroe did not appear for the interview session. City officials said they contacted him at the number he provided. Renfroe contended he was not contacted and was still interested in the post.
In t he nominations, three aldermen — W.C. “Bubba” Pleasant, Bobby Simmons and Paula Sedgwick — supported Francavilla. Aldermen Emily Elliott and Jack Young chose Walker. Alderman David Parsons nominated Henry Miller.
With those three candidates before the board, Parsons switched his support, joi ni ng Pleasa nt, Simmons and Sedgwick for Francavilla, providing him the necessary four votes from the board to fill the vacancy.