Court of Appeals judge speaks to AARP

Published 9:52 am Thursday, August 16, 2018

AARP Chapter 632 met July 31 with President Elizabeth Gay presiding. There were 27 people in attendance, including these guests Bob Cowan, Tammy Davis, Cindi Goff, Tim Janes, Jeri Johnson, Robert Johnson and Rosmarie Smith.

Following the pledge to the flag, Betty Ballard gave the invocation. Joyce Reffett, Georgetta Tolliver and Sue Staton were recognized for having July birthdays.

After a potluck meal, Robert Johnson, a judge on the Kentucky Court of Appeals, spoke. He had been appointed to the court in March 2017 after Laurance VanMeter stepped down to accept a position elsewhere.

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Judge Johnson discussed his role and explained that the court consists of 14 non-partisan, publicly-elected members who serve eight-year terms.

The court hears cases normally in three-judge panels, with membership in the panels rotating so all judges sit on at least one panel with each of their colleagues every year.

The court is headquartered in Frankfort, but the three-judge panels hear cases in courtrooms throughout the state. He said the court provides a written explanation of each ruling and any decision may be appealed to the Kentucky Supreme Court.

The judge fielded questions from the attendees after his talk.

Friday, Aug. 31, a Senior Expo will be hosted at the First Church of God, 2500 Colby Rd., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be free admission and giveaways.

The meeting concluded with Colista Ledford reading the secretary’s report and Joyce Reffett sharing the treasurer’s report. Both were approved.

The next AARP meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, at the James B. Allen Generations Center, 32 Meadow St.

Camille Cooper will sing, accompanied by Charlene Hess on guitar. Members are asked to bring school supplies and food for students’ backpacks. Everyone 50 years of age or older is invited.