BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Since 1977 when Millbrook was officially incorporated, one judge has served over the Municipal Court, that being the Honorable Judge Ben Pool. The courtroom is named in his honor.
However, Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley announced at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting that Judge Pool has stepped down from the position, effective immediately, due to unspecified health concerns.
Mayor Kelley said he received a phone call from Judge Pool on Monday evening, and admits it floored him.
“When we built this building we wanted to honor Ben Pool. He has been the Municipal Judge here since day one. The first day we ever had court. Yesterday afternoon I got a very disturbing phone call. He (Judge Pool) said he has very serious health conditions and asked for me to accept his immediate resignation. I even called him back to see if he wanted to wait, and he said no.”
Kelley said it was a great day when the city celebrated Ben Pool by naming the courtroom in his honor. Mayor Kelley became choked up as he spoke and asked the audience to be patient as he paused.
“I am going to miss him, the Court Department is going to miss him. He asked me to immediately start seeking a replacement. I have done that. We will probably have a special council meeting in the next few days. We have worked it out with someone and I think you will be extremely impressed.”
The Elmore/Autauga News will have more on the new appointee in a future article.
“Ben Pool worked for as our City Judge for 43 years,” said former City Attorney Art Elsner. “He had two court sessions a month on Thursday nights. In all those years, he only missed one when his Daddy was in the hospital.”
The Millbrook Municipal Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor traffic cases, municipal ordinance violations and state misdemeanors that occur in the city limits or the police jurisdiction of Millbrook. In general, a misdemeanor is a crime which is punishable by not more than one-year imprisonment.
The Elmore/Autauga News would like to thank Judge Pool for his many years of service on the bench, and we wish him all the best in his retirement.
