Public Record
Public Officials
The people who make decisions about your family in Kalamazoo County.
Commentary on public officials is protected speech. NYT v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 (1964).
Next Election
November 2028
All three family division judges' terms expire January 1, 2029. Michigan does not allow recall of judges.
But other accountability paths exist - see below.
Family Division Judges
Hon. Kenneth N. Barnard
Election: November 2028Court F - Family Division
Background
Former Kalamazoo County Assistant Prosecutor for ~25 years, specializing in cases concerning children.
Appointed
Elected November 2022
Serving since: 2023 (Family Division since 2025)
Public Concerns (Opinion)
- ●Career spent on the enforcement side of the system before transitioning to family court
- ●No publicly available custody outcome data yet (recently assigned to Family Division)
Hon. G. Scott Pierangeli
Election: November 2028Court H - Family Division (Chief Pro Tem)
Background
Probate Judge since 2013, appointed by Governor Snyder. Presiding Judge of Family Division 2019-2022.
Appointed
Appointed by Gov. Snyder, November 2013
Serving since: 2013
Public Concerns (Opinion)
- ●Longest-serving family division judge - 12+ years in the system
- ●Presiding Judge during 2019-2022 when grievance patterns were problematic
- ●Ran unopposed in 2016 - never faced competitive election scrutiny
Family Division Referees
Referees make the day-to-day recommendations judges rubber-stamp. They are appointed, not elected.
Referee
Robin V. King
Referee
Denise E. Noble
Referee
Kate M. Procunier
Referee
Melissa M. Sytsma
Referee
Paul J. Yancho
Other Notable Judges
Hon. Curtis J. Bell
Probate Judge - Civil/Probate (prev. Family 2005-2014)
Documented Concerns
- ●Allegations of ordering jail without due process or hearing
- ●Alleged falsification of court records
- ●Stripped plaintiff of $7,900 in support credits without notice
- ●Alleged retaliation against litigant who formed opposition PAC
Source: Public PAC filing (PAC Cronin Against Bell), Court Records
How to Hold a Judge Accountable
Judges can't be recalled in Michigan - but there are other paths.
Vote Them Out
Most CommonVoters
Defeat them at the next election. All three family division judges are up in November 2028.
JTC Complaint
Best PathAny citizen
File a written, notarized complaint with the Judicial Tenure Commission. The Michigan Supreme Court can censure, suspend, or remove.
Judge Brennan removed 2019. Judge Adams removed 2013. Judge Morrow suspended 2014.
File now →Governor + Legislature
Available NowState legislators initiate
Two-thirds vote in both chambers. Standard is 'reasonable cause' - a lower bar than impeachment. Contact your state rep.
Impeachment
RareHouse impeaches, Senate convicts
Grounds: corrupt conduct, crimes, or misdemeanors. Judge is immediately suspended upon impeachment vote.
Forced Recusal
Per CaseAny party to a case
File a Motion to Disqualify (MCR 2.003) within 14 days. Removes the judge from your case, not from the bench.
The Power of Numbers: Mass JTC Complaints
One complaint can be dismissed. A pattern of complaints from multiple citizens is much harder to ignore. The JTC is required to investigate, and when multiple complaints point to the same pattern of misconduct, it builds a case the Commission cannot dismiss.
Document every instance of bias or misconduct
File a written, notarized JTC complaint
Encourage others to file independently
Contact your state representatives
Sources: kalcounty.gov, Ballotpedia, Michigan JTC, Michigan Constitution, MCR 2.003, Governor's Office press releases.