[¶16] We long have recognized that no community wants to lose a judgeship. See In re Resident Chambers for Dist. Judgeship No. 7, Northwest Judicial Dist. , 2005 ND 221, ¶ 19 , 707 N.W.2d 251 ("While transfer of the chambers can be understandably difficult on the community and the area bar, the individuals who provide judicial services in the district understand the need to allocate the available judicial resources in the most effective and efficient manner."). We as a society also tend to prefer the status quo over a change, and maintaining the status quo would leave resident district court chambers in their current locations.
In 2005, Judgeship No. 7 in the Northwest Judicial District was moved from Stanley to Minot. Petition to Change Resident Chambers from Stanley to Minot, 2005 ND 221, 707 N.W.2d 251. Judge Holte, who had been chambered in Stanley, spent three days out of every work week in Minot, requiring the Judge and his secretary/recorder to travel approximately 15,000 miles per year.