judgment in NC

What is the name of your state? North Carolina

During the summer of 2001 I incurred a debt at a flight school for flight training towards my Commercial pilot certificate. According to the president of the flight school I was allowed to incur this debt with the understanding I would pay it off when I became an employee. Sept. 11 occurred and the FAA prohibited flight schools to operate under normal conditions leaving the flight school with cash flow problems due to a significant drop in revenues. At this time I owed approximately $6,000 and the president of the school approached me and requested that I pay the full amount immediately. I told him that I could not pay the full amount and that I could only pay $1500 at that time, which I did. This was unacceptable to him even though I continued to make payments on the tab as an employee. This continued for 2 months until I came into work and found myself no longer on the schedule and about a week later I receive a court summon for small claims court. I made it clear that I own nothing as a college student and there is a better way to resolve this matter. At the the time of the summon I owed $3100. The case went to court on 1/7/2002 and was dismissed with prejudice. The plantiff was unhappy with the decision and filed an appeal with an arbitrator who ruled in their favor and now I have a judgement on my credit.
What do you suggest I do? I would like to pay a percentage on the dollar of the original debt since I do owe it, in hopes of resolving the issue. I would have paid the full amount if he hadn't acted like a complete ass. Obviously it became personal to him since he spent around $1,000 on placing a judgement that he hasn't collected a dime on.
If I was to make an offer of say 50% of the remaining amount, how would best way of ensuring the judgement is removed? He does have a lawyer who would more than likely handle any negotiation.
Thanks.

[JETX]

Just my opinion.... but you have little, if any, bargaining power here. Assuming that the judgment is also from NC, it is good for 10 years and accrues interest at 8% per year. Surely, this debtor can hold on to it that long... and you will likely have some non-exempt assets in the interim.
I suggest you contact the creditor and try to negotiate a settlement, pay it and move on. That, or expiration, are the only ways to 'remove' the judgment.