Judge Haney retires

By Chris Edwards
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WOODVILLE – Long-serving Woodville Municipal Judge Judith Haney is retiring from her position with the city on Friday, March 10.

Haney has served the city since being sworn-in Dec. 4, 2007. She succeeded another long-time public servant, Judge Alva Cook. As the municipal judge, Haney has been responsible for a variety of duties. From presiding over the city’s municipal court to writing arrest warrants and conducting hearings for city matters, Haney has served the city.

During her tenure, she also served as city judge for the City of Ivanhoe for several years and stepped down last year from those duties.

Aside from her role as the city’s magistrate, Haney has had long careers in service to the public, as an educator and school administrator, and more recently, as the visionary behind the downtown Woodville Arts District. She and her husband Sam have volunteered and run the Tyler County Art League Gallery and the Emporium for the Arts as non-profit entities with the purpose of promoting a wide variety of artistic expressions in Tyler County.

Haney’s replacement is another beloved community leader with a background in education, Sergio Ramos. Ramos, who was appointed to assist Haney in January, by the Woodville City Council, was appointed by council at its last meeting to take over as the full-time regular city judge effective Friday.

A celebration honoring Haney is scheduled for 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 16 at the Wesley Center of the Woodville Methodist Church, located at 200 N. Nellius. City Administrator Mandy Risinger said the public is invited to come out and honor her. “Please join us for a retirement celebration to honor Judge Haney,” Risinger said.