The Allen County Republican Party hosts both Lima Municipal Court Judge candidates for their first lunch of 2023.

Magistrate Judge John Payne shared the progress of Lima's Veterans Court, and the different services they offer to help veterans down the path of recovery who are dealing with PTSD and other mental health struggles. Payne also brought a member who went through the court itself and is now helping others, all in an effort to showcase the importance of the court to the local area.

Tuesday, Rick Eddy filed a "designation of treasurer" to start campaign finances to run for Lima Municipal Court Judge. Current judge, David Rodabaugh is retiring after next year. Eddy has been the city's chief prosecutor since 2016 and in the prosecutor's office since 2008. He believes his experience is the right fit to be a municipal court judge and has goals he would like to achieve in the judge's seat.

John Payne is seeking the bench currently held by Judge David Rodabaugh who will be retiring after his term is up. Payne was selected to be magistrate in 2018 and presides over the Veteran’s Treatment Court. There are two things that he is focused on if he wins the race, accountability, and restoration.

The Lima Municipal Court includes a drug treatment and veterans treatment court program. The drug court was started in 2015 with the veteran’s court beginning in 2020. Both are voluntary programs that serve as an alternative to incarceration. The programs essentially build teams around the individual to help them succeed letting them know they are not alone in the process