Judge Herron retires after 10 years on the city court bench

For the past 10 years, Marjorie Herron has settled disputes and levied fines as the Magistrate in Winslow's city courtroom. Whether someone appeared before her bench for a traffic ticket, ordinance violation or for a wedding, Herron said she tried to make sure every person had his day in court.

"I feel that's very important," she said. "I don't want them to feel they've been rushed through. They should be able to tell their side of the story."

When Herron bangs her gavel for the last time on June 30, she will also be the last full-time city magistrate. Last week, City Council voted to turn the city court cases over to the Navajo County and the Justice of the Peace. Associate Magistrate Claudia Smith will serve on an interim basis until an intergovernmental agreement is signed with the county.

As for Herron, she said she's sad to leave the court but feels it's time to move on to other things.

"I liken my body to an automobile — it overheats by the end of the day," she said.

With her new-found free time, Herron plans to travel to New York, Washington, D.C. and Keystone, South Dakota.

Keystone is home to Mount Rushmore — one of the top 10 most patriotic places. The others are Pearl Harbor, The Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Gettysburg, Independence Park, Arlington National Cemetery, The Alamo, The Statue of Liberty and Ground Zero in Manhattan.

Herron, a self-proclaimed history buff, has already been to Pearl Harbor and The Statue of Liberty.

She also plans to fulfill her promise to her six grandchildren, ages 6-16, and make each one a scrapbook of their lives.

Herron began working for Winslow as a court clerk in 1982. She said back then she was just grateful to have a job even though it paid just $12,000 a year. It was her only previous law experience before becoming a magistrate. At the time, the city did not require her to have a law degree.

She was appointed by City Council in 1995 and every two years since. Her fifth appointment ends June 30.

When she's not travelling, Herron said she plans to remain in Winslow and support the city any way she can.

"I'll do anything for Winslow," she said. "There's a lot of positive changes happening and I want it to continue."

The City Council and staff is giving Herron a "Goodbye Party" on June 30 from 2-4 p.m. in City Hall.

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