Time is right for new Augusta judge

It sure took a long time for Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue to make up his mind. But if good things come to those who wait, then the wait was certainly worth it for attorney Mike Annis.

A former member of the Columbia County Board of Education, Annis will be sworn in Thursday in Atlanta as the Augusta Judicial Circuits newest superior court judge.

Annis skipped what would have been an easy shot at re-election to the school board in 1998 and in-stead sought the judgeship opened with the retirement of Bernard Mulherin. He lost to Duncan Wheale, but his strength of character is such that the defeat only made him more determined.

Annis made a great impression, then, when Georgias judicial review board recommended him and four other local attorneys to fill the seat vacated by Lyn Allgood. His Republican pedigree helped, but it was Annis legal resume and campaign experience that propelled Annis to the front of the pack.

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Still, Annis humility is such that he and his wife thought someone was playing a prank last week when he received the call from the governor. Its no joke: Annis will soon leave his practice at the bar to sit at the bench, becoming the third Columbia County resident serving as a judge in the local circuit.

With experience as attorney and prosecutor, Annis will understand the wide range of cases to come before him. And fellow attorneys agree Annis has a key ingredient to doing the job well: compassion.

This newspaper endorsed Annis opponent five years ago not be-cause of Annis faults, but because the time was right for Wheale.

Likewise, its now time for Annis to wear the robes. We believe hell do them justice.