The Miami County Republican Party has submitted three names to Gov. John Kasich to consider in making an appointment to a vacant county Municipal Court judicial seat.

The seat was vacated with the summer retirement of Judge Mel Kemmer. He was one of two Municipal Court judges. The other is Elizabeth Guttmann of Piqua, also a Republican.

With the retirement, the county Republicans advertised for those interested in an appointment. Three names were requested by the governor’s office.

There were three applicants, said John “Bud” O’Brien, party chairman.

They are: Gary Nasal of Troy, the county prosecutor; Joe Gibson, a Tipp City attorney; and Stacy Wall, a Tipp City resident and Piqua’s city law director.

O’Brien said the three applicants were interviewed locally and information on each sent to the governor’s office. The governor’s office will interview the applicants with an appointment to follow in early 2013, said Robert Nichols of the governor’s staff.

Gibson, who also serves on the Tipp City Council, said he was “pleased and honored” that the county Republicans considered him for this appointment. “My years of litigating cases have resulted in a desire to eventually move up to the bench someday. Preparing and arguing cases has its challenges, but making the decision on a case is an even greater responsibility,” he said. “If privileged with being selected I would take that responsibility seriously.”

Wall said she considered it an “exciting opportunity to have the possibility” of serving the people of the county. “However, whomever is selected by Governor Kasich, the County will be served well,” she said.

Nasal, prosecutor since 1995, once worked as the Municipal Court bailiff. “I’m hopeful the governor will see fit to appoint me. I view it as a new career direction and a new challenge and would be proud to serve in the Municipal Court,” he said.

O’Brien, who also serves as president of the county commission, said the commissioners appreciated Gutmann’s willingness to handle the court’s work since Kemmer’s departure.