To the surprise of virtually no one, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Wednesday announced the appointment of Roberts Kengis to the vacant Allegan County Circuit Judge’s post.
Kengis, the county’s current prosecuting attorney, was elected to that post in November 2016 and he will be eligible to run the judge’s seat permanently when it expires at the end of the year 2020. It became vacant last Jan. 12 with the abrupt retirement of Kevin Cronin, who still had three more years on the job he was elected to unopposed in 2014. Cronin, of Hopkins, still has not publicly indicated any reason for stepping down.
County Commissioner Don Black told Martin Township Board members in January that Kengis expressed a strong interest in filling the vacancy and he announced his support. Black said more than a few officials have been putting in a good word for Kengis, and he called him “a good guy” who will take over judicial duties with a working knowledge of Allegan County’s court system.
Kengis appeared in January at the Watson Township Board meeting to tell more than 60 in attendance he is unequivocally opposed to marijuana dispensaries in the county, even though Snyder signed a bill in 2016 and the State Legislature passed it, permitting such facilities with local government’s blessings.
Cronin was first elected to the Circuit Court post in 2008 in a very close, contentious and controversial election race. Since then he has been embroiled in a series of inside issues, most notably a feud with Chief Judge Marge Bakker over the right to appoint law clerks.
Black said he doesn’t know why Cronin resigned so suddenly with three years left in his term, but noted he is a heavy smoker and might have health issues.
