Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies

Judge Citrus County

FACE-OFF OUTSIDE COURT: Lawyer Milan "Bo" Samargya says he can save money, while County Judge Mark Yerman points to 11 years of achievements.

A veteran judge and a prosecutor who has tried cases before his opponent will square off Aug. 31 for the sole County Court position in Citrus.

County Judge Mark Yerman is seeking his third term in the post he was appointed to in 1993 after the Florida Supreme Court removed Gary Graham for violating judicial ethics rules.

His challenger, Milan "Bo" Samargya, is an assistant state attorney who says he has ideas that would allow the court to run more efficiently.

The competition has forced the typically reserved Yerman, 53, to talk up the successes of his 11-year tenure. One obvious achievement is Teen Court, the diversion program Yerman established to give first-time, nonviolent juvenile offenders a chance to clear their records.

"I think I've demonstrated a degree of leadership in the court and in the community," said Yerman, who also is board chairman for Leadership Citrus, the county canvassing board and Hospice of Citrus County.

But Samargya, a native of Pasco County who moved to Citrus 21/2 years ago, said longtime judges don't necessarily bring the same level of energy to the post as new blood could.

"It's time for a change," he said.

Samargya, 37, has had his eye on a judgeship since becoming a lawyer in 1994 and believes his strengths are best suited for a County Court position. His 10-year legal career has been evenly split between prosecuting and defending cases.

From his time in the courtroom, he said he has come up with ways to save taxpayers money. He would like to see higher fees assessed to those who receive court-appointed counsel and the number of trials whittled down before subpoenas are sent out.

The prosecutor said the sitting judge has earned a reputation for sometimes being disrespectful and unappreciative toward law enforcement officers.

"Even if you make a ruling against them, I don't think you have to be disrespectful," Samargya said.

Yerman countered that his willingness to suppress evidence in cases where it was improperly collected or obtained is merely part of being an impartial judge.

"On the bench, I try to be as unemotional and impartial as I can be," he said.

County judges are elected on a nonpartisan basis to six-year terms. Judges preside over criminal traffic and misdemeanor cases and civil traffic infractions. They also handle suits that involve claims for less than $15,000. They earn $121,325 per year.

MARK YERMAN, 53, is a native of Ohio who moved to Florida in 1981. He earned a bachelor's degree with concentrations in psychology and economics from Ohio University and a law degree from the University of Akron School of Law. A job with Withlacoochee Area Legal Services brought him to Citrus County in 1984. He also spent six years in private practice handling commercial, real property, custody, divorce, probate and juvenile cases. Former Gov. Lawton Chiles appointed him as county judge in 1993, and he defeated challengers to win election in 1994. He ran unopposed in 1998. Yerman is married and has two sons.

ASSETS: home, property, stocks, vehicles.

LIABILITIES: mortgage.

SOURCE OF INCOME: judicial salary.

MILAN "BO" SAMARGYA, 37, was born in DeLand and raised in Pasco County. He earned a bachelor's degree in management from the University of Central Florida and a law degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law. An Army veteran, he worked for his family's medical supply business in Homosassa for four years before going to law school. He spent six months with the Public Defender's Office in Sanford and then worked as an assistant state attorney in Orlando. Before joining the State Attorney's Office in Inverness 21/2 years ago, Samargya ran a private criminal defense office in Orlando. He is married and expecting his first child. This is his first campaign for office.

ASSETS: home, bank accounts, possessions, vehicle.

LIABILITIES: mortgage.

SOURCE OF INCOME: state of Florida.