The public is asked for comments on 12 applicants for an opening on the Arizona Supreme Court created by the retirement of Justice Rebecca White Berch. Two of the applicants have strong ties to this area. Division I Arizona Court of Appeals Presiding Judge Michael J. Brown was born and raised in northeastern Arizona, and attended Brigham Young University and Arizona State University of Law, graduating cum laude from both. Prior to his position with the Court of Appeals, he worked for Brown & Brown Law Offices in Pinetop, and was the Show Low city attorney, the Snowflake town attorney and a Navajo County Superior Court judge pro tempore. Navajo County Attorney Bradley W. Carlyon graduated from Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona College of Law, from which he graduated summa cum laude. He has served in his present position since 2008, and has also served as deputy county attorney in Navajo County, chief deputy county attorney in Apache County, Navajo County Superior Court judge pro tempore. In addition, he was in private practice for 11 years. Carlyon serves as vice chair of the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council, president of the Arizona Association of Counties and a member of the National Association of Counties’ Justice and Public Safety Committee. The remaining applicants are: * Clint D. Bolick, vice president for litigation at the Goldwater Institute. * Division I Arizona Court of Appeals Judge Kent E. Cattani. * Daisy J. Flores of Flores & Clark, LLC. * Division I Arizona Court of Appeals Judge Andrew W. Gould. * Kenneth E. Moyer of the Law Office of Kenneth E. Moyer, PLLC. * Division I Arizona Court of Appeals Judge Maurice Portley. * Thomas L. Schoaf of the Law Office of Thomas L. Schoaf, PLC. * Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Timothy J. Thomason. * Division I Arizona Court of Appeals Judge Samuel A. Thumma. * Division I Arizona Court of Appeals Judge Lawrence F. Winthrop. The appointment of a Supreme Court Justice is a highly transparent process, and public input is an important part of ensuring that the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments can fairly and effectively evaluate each candidate. Applications are posted online at http://www.azcourts.gov/jnc. The commission will review the applications and hear comments at a public meeting on Monday, Oct. 19, in Room 101 of the Arizona State Courts Building, 1501 W. Washington in Phoenix. Citizens may address the commission at that time or send written comments to 1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, Ariz. 85007 or to jnc@courts.az.gov. Comments must be received by Friday, Oct. 16, to be considered. Anonymous comments cannot be considered. At the Oct. 19 meeting, the commission will decide which applicants will be interviewed for the opening. The selected applicants will be interviewed on Friday, Nov. 20. After the interviews, the commission will recommend at least three nominees for the opening to Governor Doug Ducey, who will appoint the new justice.