by Bruce Gietzen
WACO - McLennan County Commissioners will have 21 applicants to choose from when they appoint a replacement for retiring Justice of the Peace Billy Martin in December.
Martin is stepping down with two years left on his term after 14 years as a Justice of the Peace for District 1 Place 2.
Martin is probably best known for dressing in a bright red sportscoat and conducting group wedding ceremonies on the steps of the McLennan County courthouse every Valentine's Day.
He also was at the center of controversy in the Matt Baker murder case, after not ordering an autopsy on Baker's wife Kari after she was found dead in the bedroom of their Hewitt home in 2006.
Martin had initially planned on retiring November 30th, but learned in the last week he could not leave until a replacement had been named for his seat. He will now stay on until County Commissioners can interview candidates and select someone.
Martin believes that could happen by the middle of December.
Applicants for the position include a number of local attorneys and some people who run for public office recently but lost elections.
Here's the list who applied before the 4 p.m. deadline November 30th:
1. Walter H. "Pete" Peterson
2. Judson Griffis
3. William F. "Fred" Brown
4. Angel de J. Gavito
5. Nina Paterson
6. John E. Fugate
7. Jose R. Villanueva
8. Denton B. Lessman
9. Sandra Michell
10. Gerald Villarrial
11. Doyle Young
12. Paul Wash
13. Jarred Hankhouse
14. Tony Uzzell
15. William Patrick Jones
16. Gary William Cunha
17. Bryan Henson
18. Joshua Tetens
19. Galen B. Edwards
20. R. S. Gates
21. Joel Douglas Froneberger
