ROGERS CITY — Three candidates with a wide range of experience are running for Presque Isle County probate judge.

Erik Stone, Ken Radzibon, and Katy Conklin are vying for a six-year term on the bench, up for grabs because incumbent Donald McLennan is retiring after spending 12 years in probate/family court.

The judgeship is a nonpartisan position.

McLennan, 69, said family law cases are “so very critical” because they involve “dealing with children and the conditions that will impact them for the rest of their lives.”

Here are the candidates vying to replace McLennan:

ERIK STONE

Stone, 65, has been practicing law since 1978. Born and raised in Rogers City, Stone graduated from Rogers City High School in 1971, earned his bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University in 1975 and his law degree from Wayne State University in 1978.

“I have the experience and knowledge of this community to really help people and make this community a better place to live,” he said. “I’ve represented clients in and out of court on all the matters a probate judge will decide. I’m regularly appointed by the court to handle child abuse and neglect cases.”

He said the Presque Isle probate judge takes on many duties that are normally handled by circuit or district judges in larger counties.

“The probate judge in Presque Isle County wears more than just the probate judge hat,” he said. “The judge handles almost all civil cases. You have to have a breadth of experience over all those matters to be an effective judge, and I have that.”

Having two children has helped Stone recognize the struggles parents face. He says working with those families is immensely important.

“I’ve found that work to be the most rewarding work in my career,” he said. “It has literally saved children and families.”

He said the probate court “presently operates very efficiently, and the staff is excellent.”

He added that the court faces a daily challenge of doing what’s right, and what’s best for children.

“What’s facing the court going forward is the rising importance of child abuse and delinquency,” Stone said, adding that, many times, “you either have to reunify the family or find a better home for the child.”

Growing up in Rogers City has given Stone the perspective he needs to serve as probate judge here, he said.

“I know what it’s like to grow up in a small town and benefit from the attention a small community gives you,” Stone said. “As judge, I’ll be looking out for people.”

KEN RADZIBON

Radzibon, 66, is currently the county prosecutor. He served as Presque Isle probate judge for 23 years, from 1983 to 2006.

“Of all the things I’ve done in my career, I enjoyed probate judge the most,” Radzibon said. “I enjoyed working with the young people and the families. I found that very rewarding.”

He also spent six years as referee for 26th Circuit Court, hearing cases for the family division. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 1974, and in 1977 he earned his law degree from the Detroit College of Law.

A licensed attorney for the past 40 years, Radzibon said his broad base of experience is exactly what the county needs.

“The person who takes over has to be familiar with very many areas of the law, and confident in their ability,” Radzibon said. “I have that background, not only in my education, but through my work experience in all those areas.”

He considers himself the most qualified candidate.

“I’m certainly the only candidate in this race who has actual judge experience,” Radzibon said.

He said parenting two teenagers has given him empathy and compassion that he has applied to his work dealing with juvenile and family cases.

“I can certainly empathize with those struggles, being a parent, especially of teenagers, so I think that’s important, as well.”

KATY CONKLIN

Conklin, 60, has been a licensed attorney for 22 years. She was born in Rogers City and has practiced law in more than 40 counties in Michigan. She moved back to Rogers City in 2014.

She earned her associate degree in law enforcement and business administration from Lansing Community College in 1986, her bachelor’s degree in social work at Michigan State University in 1989, and her jurisdoctorate from what was then called the Thomas J. Cooley Law School in 1996.

Conklin is the CEO/executive director of Hope Shores Alliance, a nonprofit agency serving victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and dating violence in Presque Isle, Alcona, Alpena, Iosco, and Montmorency counties.

“The family court is really a unique court,” said Conklin. “It involves using and understanding not just the law,” she said, but also the complex issues surrounding those who may be undergoing trauma and stress.

“It’s a multidisciplinary approach that you have to have to deal with families in probate court,” said Conklin. “Probate court deals with vulnerable adults and children.”

Conklin assists local attorneys that represent the vulnerable population and supervises a team of nine community advocates that offer legal services to the courts in five Northeast Michigan counties.

Conklin also has extensive experience in child development and theories, psychological theories, and dealing with people with cognitive disabilities and impairments.

“I’ve dealt with this subject matter as a professional for over 30 years,” Conklin said. “My work over my entire career has prepared me for this,” she said of the probate judge seat.

Conklin said she’s organized and would run her court efficiently.

“Docket control is extremely important to me,” she said. “Being on time is important. The delays should not be because of judges procrastinating.”

She said she hopes to earn the opportunity to work for the people of her home county.

“I’m very inclusive, and I really want everyone’s thoughts and ideas,” she said.

Darby Hinkley can be reached via email at dhinkley@thealpenanews.com, or by phone at 989-354-3111 ext. 324.