Idaho Gov. Butch Otter has appointed Twin Falls attorney Richard D. Greenwood to be a 4th District judge, replacing Judge Kathryn A. Sticklen, who is retiring. Interestingly, Otter passed over Greenwood for a 5th District judgeship in May of 2007, instead appointing 5th District Magistrate Judge Randy Stoker. That vacancy opened up when 5th District Judge John Hohnhorst died in February of 2007 while awaiting a lung transplant. Seven people applied for that judgeship, and two were nominated by the Idaho Judicial Council - Stoker and Greenwood.

Greenwood, 58, is now planning to move to Boise to take the 4th District judgeship, according to Otter's office. He's practiced law in Twin Falls since 1977. Here's Otter's comment on the pick: “Dick’s 30-plus years in the Magic Valley have put him in the heart of both Idaho’s rural tradition and phenomenal growth. He brings experience and a common-sense approach to the 4th District bench that will serve the people of the Boise area well.”

Three people applied for the Boise judgeship: Greenwood, 4th District Magistrate Judge Michael J. Reardon, and Lewiston attorney Dean Wullenwaber. The Judicial Council nominated Greenwood and Reardon.

David Hensley, Otter's legal counsel and adviser on judicial appointments, said, "The governor couldn't make a bad decision between the two individuals - they were both highly qualified, extremely capable and extremely well-recommended." The governor opted for "diversity," Hensley said, in the form of Greenwood's "extensive civil practice."