In a split vote on Feb. 9, the Bartlett city board chose Tim Francavilla from a field of eight applicants as an interim city court judge. He replaces the late Freeman Marr until a successor can be chosen in the November elections to complete Marr’s term through 2018.
Friday, Francavilla said he has always wanted to serve as a judge and was honored to be chosen. He also has great respect for his predecessor.
Marr, one of Bartlett’s two city judges, died Dec. 17 at age 91 after having served on the bench since 1969.
“He was on the bench for so many years I can’t possibly try to match what he did,” Francavilla said. “… I’m honored to be the next judge to take the bench in his place and try to create my own niche.”
Francavilla began sitting for Marr in October 2015 as needed. After Marr’s death, Francavilla was a special judge for most of the Wednesday court dates in January and early February. His first court date after the board’s selection was Feb. 10.
He enjoys the fact that the city judgeship is a part-time position, so it allows him to still carry on his normal law practice.
Francavilla said he has no aspirations to seek a higher judicial position, because such a full-time role would affect his ability to maintain his law practice. Another attorney in his firm fills in on his cases as needed.
“I think most lawyers aspires someday to be a judge, but I truly like practicing law too, so I wanted a position where I could do both,” he said.
The role also appealed to him because he has called Bartlett home since 1999.
“This is a way to give back to the community,” he said.
He and his wife, Kristi, have two children, both of whom attend St. Ann Catholic School in Bartlett. He said his family plans on staying in the city through retirement.
Francavilla said he hopes to keep the seat in the November elections and remain through the end of Marr’s eight-year term in 2018.
Other applicants for the interim judicial seat were Joe R. Bartlett, Joseph D. Barton, Joyce C. Broffitt, James Robert Ferguson, Henry W. Miller, Lorenzo Derek Renfroe and Phillip R. Walker. (An earlier story summarizes highlights from the candidates’ applications and include a link to their résumés.)
Three alderman were the first to support Francavilla at the Feb. 9 meeting: W.C. “Bubba” Pleasant, Paula Sedgwick and Bobby Simmons. David Parsons initially nominated Miller but switched his vote to give Francavilla the seat. Emily Elliott and Jack Young supported Walker.
Francavilla described Bartlett city court as a mix of different types of cases: A lot are traffic offenses, as well as thefts, assaults and driving on a revoked license. He has also seen cases of aggravated assaults and serious felony possession of drugs with intent to sell, often from people who were stopped while traveling through Bartlett.
Written by Carolyn Bahm, Express editor. Contact her at (901) 433-9138 or via email to bartlett.editor@journalinc.com.
