By Monty Torres
Most recognize him as the judge at the center of the Central Valley's water crisis. Judge Oliver W. Wanger has heard and ruled upon more cases governing California water issues than any other living judge. But after twenty years on the bench, Wanger's distinguished career is now coming to an end, by choice, even if it is a difficult one.
"I submitted my letter of retirement to the Chief Justice of the U.S. and to the chief judges of our circuit and of our district here in our Eastern District of California," announced Wanger on Wednesday.
After twenty years on the bench, it is not a decision senior U.S. District Court Judge Oliver W. Wanger takes lightly.
"When I took this job, I took it for life and I never had any intention of leaving," he said.
But, it is a decision, Wanger says, he must make none the less. "We have a son to educate. We have family obligations. I'm going to return to the private sector as a result of that."
A move colleagues say Wanger could have made years ago, but chose to delay.
"He could have retired four-and-a-half years ago at 100% pay," asserts fellow district court judge Lawrence O'Neill. "And [he] chose to continue to work."
Why? To serve his community and help a court district in crisis the former U.S. Marine says.
"I work seventy to eighty hours a week, every weekend, every night and I do that because that's what the public deserves," Wanger avers. "Their cases need to be heard and there is no choice. The other judges work equally hard."
But even as he bows to the demands of family and personal life and closes the door on a distinguished career on the bench, Judge Wanger also knows he will miss a role he loves and that he is now forced to leave behind.
"This is the best job in the world. This is the best courtroom I think in our nation. You see this office? There couldn't be a better place or environment to work. I will simply put it behind me and revere the time that I have been privileged and honored to serve."
"But", I ask, "If you didn't have to go, you wouldn't go?"
Without a pause, Wanger responds, "I would not go."
So who will replace Judge Wanger?
Wanger, and the other judges of the Eastern District fear no one will, because, they say, congress will not do its job.
It is the President's job to nominate judge candidates with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. It is also the Senate that is supposed to confirm qualified candidates, but the judges say, neither Republicans nor Democrats want to confirm judges nominated by a president of the opposing party, so no one has and they fear, no one will.
The Eastern District of California handles more cases than any other district in the country.
