LEBANON — Warren County Republicans will decide Tuesday whether they're pleased with the job 20-year county Commissioner Mike Kilburn has done or would prefer a newcomer.

        Daryl Dunn, a Lebanon real estate agent, is taking on Mr. Kilburn in the liveliest Warren primary race. Two Republicans also are vying for an open Common Pleas court seat.

        The primary is usually the main contest in Republican-dominated Warren County, although Tuesday's victor in the commissioners' race will face Democrat Carolyn Tepe in November.

        Middletown Regional Hospital's proposed move to Warren County has emerged as the major issue in the Kilburn-Dunn race, although each candidate says it wasn't by his choice.

        Mr. Kilburn and his fellow commissioners say they oppose the hospital and related development moving to Greentree Road, preferring another location. Mr. Dunn supports the hospital's desire to go to Greentree.

        “What I really want to talk about is the fact that we need to have a vision for Warren County,” Mr. Dunn said. “We need to break down the barriers among the jurisdictions.”

        Mr. Kilburn figures voters will make their decision about him based on his record: “You've either done your job or you haven't.”

        Meanwhile, James Flannery of Lebanon and James Heath of Maineville, both sitting judges, will square off for the Common Pleas position held by retiring Judge P. Daniel Fedders, whose seat expires Feb. 10, 2003. Judge Fedders has held the job for more than 30 years.

        No Democrats have filed, so the primary winner will likely win the seat with no opposition in November.

        A former county prosecutor, Judge Flannery is the county's first and only domestic-relations judge since the court was established in 1986 to handle the burgeoning domestic cases. He currently is presiding judge of Common Pleas Court.

        Mr. Heath has been a part-time judge since being appointed in 1995 to County Court, which primarily handles criminal misdemeanors and initial hearings for felonies.

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