WEST BATH

A Sagadahoc County judge was named a recipient of a Maine Judicial Branch performance award for 2013.

Judge John David Kennedy, who sits in the West Bath District Court, was awarded the 2013 Judicial Branch Career Performance Award.

The award is “given to that person who consistently contributes above and beyond expected job responsibilities to further the Judicial Branch mission,” according to a news release from Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley, of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.

Kennedy has served as a judge of the District Court since 2002, and for over a decade prior to his gubernatorial appointment, was an employee of the Judicial Branch.

Kennedy will be retiring from the judiciary in early 2013.

Saufley said, “Judge Kennedy exemplifies what it means to be a good judge, dedicated to the rule of law. When we train new judges, David is one of the people that we insist that new judges observe and learn from.”

Gail Merritt of Saco was named Outstanding Judicial Employee of the Year, “conferred upon that person who best exemplifies the qualities of competence in providing court services, commitment to public service, respect, courtesy to fellow employees and members of the public, and a willingness to learn and grow.”

The Special Service Award was given this year to the manager and staff of the Service Center, located in Lewiston, which was created by the court as a pilot project for Androscoggin County in 2012 to centralize telephone service and inquiries, and relieve the clerks in those courts from the near constant interruption from phone calls. The employees honored were John Smith, Kim Mitchell, Samantha Turcotte, Sarah Pelletier, Marie Woodrum, Suzanne Chamberlain, Sue-Ellen DeGroot, Doreen Gummoe and Kathleen Clavette.

Mark Tibbetts, of Steep Falls, a sergeant who is based out of Lewiston District Court, was awarded the Roy Rice Award, “given to that person, group, or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the safety and well being of the employees of the Judicial Branch and people who participate in court activities.”

Michaela Richardson, of Sangerville was awarded the Judicial Branch Volunteer of the Year Award. She is a volunteer in the Dover-Foxcroft District and the Piscataquis County Superior Courts.

“One of my favorite tasks is to read all the nominations submitted for these awards,” Saufley said. “While we can only publically recognize a handful of Judicial Branch employees for their public service, the ones we recognize also represent their peers, their fellow nominees and employees. These are the people who understand that serving the public is a privilege.”