Christensen will leave with mixed emotions

In an interview this afternoon, County Judge Patti A. Christensen told Historic City News editor Michael Gold that she expects it will be “a hard transition” for her; leaving friends and co-workers in St. Augustine who she’s known as a judge for the past ten years.

When asked how soon she’ll step into her new position, Christensen told us, “Circuit Judge Ed Hedstrom will retire on September 30th. They want me to step in as of October 1st.”

Hedstrom was elected to a 6 year term and Christensen will fill the year and a half, or so, that’s remaining — then she’ll have to run for election. The governor will appoint someone to fill the vacancy now created by Christensen’s departure as County Court judge. “An announcement will be published soon that will instruct applicants to forward their information to a judicial nominating committee.”

Among other things, the new position will mean a change of courthouses for Christensen. The seventh judicial circuit includes St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia and Putnam counties — Christensen will be reporting to work at the Putnam County Courthouse in Palatka.

Christensen is the first female circuit court judge to serve in Putnam County. She says that she is looking forward to her new role.

Judge Terry LaRue is the Administrative Judge who makes assignments for the circuit judges. Judge Christensen says that, at least initially, she will be handling civil cases; however, assignments tend to be rotated every 18 months or so.

Christensen has been living in her home here in St. Johns County, but she also owns a home in Melrose — which will likely become her new residence.

“They whittled it down to three and we went to Tallahassee to meet the Governor last Thursday,” Christensen told Historic City News. “I received the call that I had been selected about 9:30 a.m. this morning.”