Advertisement
Bostrack was inaugurated into her first term as a Third Judicial District Court Judge and promised to do her best at upholding the constitutions of the United States and Minnesota.
 |
Winona County’s newest District Court Judge Nancy Bostrack, center, is helped into her judge’s robe by her husband, Paul, right, and her father, retired Rev. Lou Buytendorp after being sworn in Friday at the Winona County Courthouse.
(Photo by Melissa Carlo/Winona Daily News) |
“I always say, Winona is a great place to practice law,” she said. “Winona will be a great place to be a judge.”
Third District Chief Judge William Johnson welcomed more than a dozen other district judges to Bostrack’s investiture, as well as friends, family, colleagues and special guests from the county, city and area law enforcement agencies.
Steve Baumgart, a retired Winona County sheriff’s deputy and longtime family friend, made opening remarks, praising Bostrack’s “awesome smile” and leadership traits. Tears swelled in his eyes when he said speaking at her investiture was a highlight of his career, surpassing his experience working in Chicago on Geraldine Ferraro’s failed vice presidential bid in 1984. Baumgart’s comments were light-hearted and attracted thunderous laughter when he let slip he plays Santa Claus for Bostrack’s 5-year-old twin sons, Jacob and Zachary, who were in the audience.
“Be careful …” he trailed off as laughter filled the courtroom.
Bostrack’s father, the retired Rev. Lou Buytendorp, congratulated his daughter and prayed for God’s blessing to give her the honesty, compassion and clear conscience required to make “sobering and nerve-wracking” decisions on a daily basis.
Bostrack was appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty on July 15 to the bench left vacant by the retirement of Judge Margaret Shaw Johnson. Bostrack spent the next month training to be a judge. She specifically thanked Winona’s other two sitting judges, Judge Jeff Thompson and Judge Mary Leahy, for taking her under their wings and showing her the ropes.
Bostrack’s seat is guaranteed to her through November 2010 when she faces her first election. She’ll make $129,124 in salary, according to the Legislative Coordinating Commission’s subcommittee on employee relations.
Kevin Behr may be reached at (507) 453-3524 or at kbehr@winonadailynews.com.
