THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 23, 1996 TAG: 9601230247
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY MASON PETERS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
North Carolina judicial tradition allows newly named state Superior Court judges to decide where they'll be sworn in and when.
And this Friday in Manteo that will be particularly true for a Republican jurist from Raleigh appointed by a Democratic governor.
``I want to be sworn in at high noon Jan. 26 in the Dare County Courthouse at Manteo,'' soon-to-be Superior Court Judge Howard E. ``Howdy'' Manning Jr. said Monday.
``I love the Outer Banks and I've a lot of friends on the coast, so what better place to be sworn in?'' asked Manning.
North Carolina Chief Justice Burley B. Mitchell Jr. of Raleigh is tentatively scheduled to swear in the 52-year old Manning.
``But there may be a scheduling problem for the chief justice and if he doesn't make it, my old friend, Superior Court Judge Richard Parker of Manteo, will officiate,'' Manning said.
Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. last week named Manning to a second tour of duty on the state's superior court bench, remarking that ``without question, Howard is the best person for this new judgeship. His years of experience as a trial lawyer and his distinguished service on the bench will serve the people of North Carolina well.''
Hunt's appointment designatesManning as a special superior court judge, meaning that Manning will be available to travel throughout the state to serve when a substitute judge is required.
Manning first sat on the Superior Court bench when he was appointed by former Republican Governor James G. Martin in November, 1988. Manning was elected statewide to the high court judgeship and served until his term expired Dec. 31, 1990.
A spokeswoman for the North Carolina Board of Elections in Raleigh said Monday that records show Manning is registered as a member of the GOP.
``The governor knew that Mr. Manning is a Republican,'' said Kym Spell, a member of Hunt's press staff at the State Capitol. ``He picked a man he felt was best qualified for this job.''
Members of the state's high court bench are technically ``above'' politics and run as nonpartisan candidates in judicial elections.
``Everybody loves Howdy,'' said Betty Mann, clerk of the Dare County Superior Court. Mann, who will be among court officials present at the Friday swearing-in ceremony, said Manning is favorably remembered in eastern North Carolina from his earlier service on the Superior Court bench.
Manning is not a jurist who spends all of his time cloistered in a law library.
In a resume he gave to Hunt, Manning listed as his current interests such strenuous activities as ``backpacking, sailing, tennis, running (New York marathon, 1980).''
From 1968 to 1974, Manning served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General's office.
A 1968 law graduate from the University of North Carolina, Manning is a partner in the Raleigh firm of Manning, Fulton & Skinner. He serves on the North Carolina Board of Corrections and holds many positions as an officer in public and private institutions. He is married to the former Elizabeth Ponton and they have two children, Howard III, 24, and Ana, 19. by CNB