The reporter's notebook: the official newsletter of Georgia's Magistrate Court Clerks, Vol. 3, Issue 2 (Fall 2008)

Vol 3, Issue 2

The Reporter's

Fall 2008

Notebook

The Official Newsletter of Georgia's Magistrate Court Clerks

Executive Committee 2006/2007 Officers
President, Debbie Barron Fayette County
Vice-President, Cynthia Kelley Burke County
Secretary/Treasurer, Gayle Collins Whitfield County
Immediate Past President, Jo Anne Jones Lowndes County
Executive District Members
DISTRICT 1: Kay Reese, Tatnall County
DISTRICT 2: Mathew Lovett, Worth County
DISTRICT 3: Connie Johnson, Sumter County
DISTRICT 4: Joy Wright, Rockdale County
DISTRICT 5: Vacant Fulton County
DISTRICT 6: Leslie Dukes, Fayette County
DISTRICT 7: Marcia West, Gordon County
DISTRICT 8: Hope Christian, Morgan County
DISTRICT 9: Elaine Ray, Cherokee County
DISTRICT 10: Paulette Williamson, McDuffie Co.

Greetings from the President

Hi All:
Hope you are enjoying this change in weather. I am looking forward to our training in Savannah. It will be here sooner than we think. I am excited about our agenda this year. We have Bonita Preston coming from GCIC to talk about changes with filing OTNs and we have Agent Silva from Gwinnett County who is going to talk about Gangs in Georgia. If you recall, he spoke to us several years ago on gangs and everyone who heard him has continuously asked that he come and speak again. We will be having our usual panel of experts so be thinking about questions you may have; hopefully we can provide answers. We are excited to be retuning to Savannah. There is always so much to see and do. The great thing about Savannah is that so much is available within walking distance. You can

leave your car parked and get great exercise seeing the sights. Personally, I hope to be able to take the Ghost Tour around the city. I also want to remind you that next year we will be conducting two training sessions--one in July at Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris and another in December at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. It will be the same agenda at both, so you will just need to plan on attending one or the other. We hope that by scheduling two different sessions more of you clerks will be able to attend. If you need anything between now and December, please feel free to give me a call at 770-716-4236 or dbarron(il faycttccountyga.gov. Hope to see you in Savannah!

Until then,

Debbie Barron



Training Topics for December 2008

Garnishments Gang Activity Fi Fas and Judgment Renewals Leadership and Client Services

Deposit Account Fraud
Quarterly Report Procedures
Computerized Criminal History (CCH) overview

Registration form on page 4.

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Council of Magistrate Court Clerks & Secretaries Executive Committee Members 07-08

Debbie Barron, President Fayette Co. Magistrate Court 1 Center Drive Fayetteville, GA 30214 770-716-4236/Fax 770-716-4855 d barron@fayettecountyga.gov
Judge Connie Holt, Advisor Morgan Co. Magistrate Court P.O. Box 589 Madison, GA 30650 706-342-3088/Fax 706-343-6364 cholt@morganga.org

Cynthia Kelley, Vice President Burke Co. Magistrate Court P.O. Box 1375 Waynesboro, GA 30830 706-554-8750/Fax 706-554-8772 cynthia13 75@burkecounty-ga.gov

Barbara Lowery, Secretary Treasurer Cherokee Co. Magistrate Court 90 North Street, Suite 150 Canton, GA 30114 678-493-6437/Fax 678-493-6440 blowery@cherokeega.com

Dr. Lynda Hanscome Educational Program Specialist I.C.J.E. University of Georgia
123 Dean Rusk Hall Athens, GA 30602-6025 706-542-7401/Fax 706-5424211 lynda@icje.lawsch.uga.edu

District One Kay Reese Tatnall Co. Magistrate Court P.O. Box 513 Reidsville, GA 30453 912-557-4372/Fax 912-557-3136 magkayreese@yahoo.com
District Two Matthew Lovett Worth Co. Magistrate Court 1015 N. Isabella Street Sylvester, GA 31791 229-776-8210/Fax 229-776-8245 no e-mail address as yet
District Three Connie Johnson Sumter Co. Magistrate Court P.O. Box 563 Americus, GA 31709 conniej@sumter-ga.com
District Four Joy Wright Rockdale Co. Magistrate Court P.O. Box 289 Conyers, GA 30012-0289 770-929-4075/Fax 770-785-2496 joy. wright@rockdalecounty.org
District Five Vacant - Fulton County

District Six Leslie Dukes Fayette Co. Magistrate Court 1 Center Drive Fayetteville, GA 30214 770-716-4237/Fax 770-716-4855 1 dukes@fayettecountyga.gov
District Seven Marcia West Gordon Co. Magistrate Court P.O. Box 1025 Calhoun, GA 30703 706-629-6818/Fax706-602-1751 mwest@gordoncounty.org
District Eight Hope Christian Morgan Co. Magistrate Court P.O. Box 589 Madison, GA 30650 hchristian@morganga.org
District Nine Elaine Ray Cherokee Co. Magistrate Court 90 North Street, Suite 150 Canton, GA 30114 678-493-6437/Fax 678-493-6440 eray@cherokeega.com
District Ten Paulette Williamson McDuffie Co. Magistrate Court P.O. Box 252 Thomson, GA 30824-0252 706-597 -2618/Fax 706-595-2041 pierce@thomson-mcduffic.net

The Reporter's Notebook

From Your Advisor

Hello Everyone. I hope this newsletter finds all of you doing well and enjoying the beautiful fall weather. Not a lot of news to share, but wanted to let you of some exciting things taking place and our upcoming training in Savannah
First, I wanted to report that our Council of Magistrate Court Clerks and Secretaries listserv is working very well and is being accessed by a lot you. I hope those of you that have not signed up, will do so and will start using it more to communicate with your fellow clerks and secretaries. I truly believe in helping one another and in sharing questions and problems with each other. We learn a lot from sharing.
As you all know, our training is December 3rd, 4th, and 5th, and is

in Savannah. Dr. Lynda Hanscome has really out done herself, as always, preparing our training. The exact times or days of each of the subjects or the speakers, is not in place as yet, because all things are subject to change. The Topics listed below were topics that you all requested to learn more about. They were taken from the evaluations from our last training in Brasstown Valley.
Fi Fa's and Judgment Renewals and Garnishments Gang Activity Leadership and Client Services Deposit Account Fraud Quarterly Report Procedures Computerized Criminal History (CCH) overview

3
Your Executive Committee and Training Committee got together with Dr. Hanscome to work on your entire request so that you would be provided with great training topics and great speakers. I know you will all be very pleased with the subjects and the speakers.
I look forward to seeing all of you in Savannah and hope all of you will enjoy the great training Dr. Hanscome has prepared. Savannah should be beautiful in December and decorated for the Christmas Holidays. Until then, have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and see you in Savannah.

The Gordon County
Magistrate Court clerks want to
know if you have seen any of these
people in your court?

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2008 MAGISTRATE COURT CLERKS & SECRETARIES REGISTRATION FORM

Return this form to ICJE, as soon as possible as enrollment is limited. Mailing address: ICJE, 123 Dean Rusk Hall, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 OR Fax to: 706-542-4211. There is no registration fee but you must return the registration form to be eligible for enrollment. Questions? Call Lynda Hanscome at 706-542-7401 or E-Mail: lynda@icje.law.uga.edu OR Jean Hughes at 706-542-7940 or E-Mail: jean@icje.law.uga.edu Please Note: No Travel Expenses Will be Reimbursed By ICJE.

2008 REGISTRATION FORM

NAME: ____________________________________ TEL: ________________________________

COUNTY: ___________________________________ SS# (last 4 digits only) _________________

ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

E-MAIL: _________________________________________________________________________

December 3 -5, 2008, Savannah Marriott Riverfront Hotel (This is a three-day course; however, on Day 2 attendees must choose either Track A or Track B)

Day 2-Track-A General Curriculum
OR
Day 2-Track-B Introduction to Magistrate Court System for New Clerks & Secretaries
Please check here if we need to contact you regarding a physical or dietary need.

Important Input Requested From You!

1. Please suggest topics/questions that would be helpful. ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________

2. Please suggest topics/questions that should be addressed for New Clerks & Secretaries. ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________

3. To respond to your request for more Clerks-Training-Clerks, please indicate if you are willing to facilitate or assist in a unit of instruction in your seminar.

Yes! I will contribute and Lynda Hanscome may contact me at tel: _________________

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Stephens County Courthouse Renovation

Acentury ago Stephens County farmers and townspeople often gathered on

puters and other courtroom technology, security measures and handicapped access. The architectural

the lawn of the stately, brick court-

integrity of the original structure has

house during trial recesses or as a

been carefully reclaimed over the

jury deliberated a verdict. Slow

past three years. Craftsmen have

hours might pass

before a court

bailiff would step

out onto the sec-

ond-story porch to

signal that the judge

was calling the

court back into ses-

sion. All those

interested made

their way back

inside to reclaim

their seats and hear

The second-floor courtroom under construction.

the proceedings.

Those days, of

course, are gone

never to return, but

the old Stephens

County Courthouse

itself is slowly

making a come-

back. In November This mural, painted in the 1930s, was uncovered during

the citizens of

the renovation.

Stephens County

will once again gather at the historic painstakingly washed away a centu-

courthouse as it reopens following

ry's worth of paint and grime to

extensive renovation.

reveal the original colors and dcor.

A mural depicting a pastoral scene

Rededication Ceremony

was discovered in the former county

Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears

clerk's office; it had been painted

will give the keynote address on

sometime in the 1930's by a local

November 23, 2008 at the rededica-

artist.

tion of the old courthouse. The spa-

Judges of the state court and

cious, high-ceilinged second floor

magistrate court will be housed in

courtroom will be on view as will

the restored building; and soon the

the ground floor county offices that

courtroom will again echo to the

are now fitted to accommodate com- rapping of a judge's gavel as plain-

tiffs, defendants, lawyers and others take their places and another court session is brought to order.
On-going Courthouse Construction Projects

Throughout the state many courthouse projects are underway. In the Tenth Judicial Administrative District, construction valued at over $1,000,000 is underway thanks to population growth in in Banks, Barrow, Elbert, McDuffie, Richmond, and Taliaferro counties. In other parts of the state courthouses in Dawson, Lumpkin, Paulding, Pickens, and Sumter counties have building projects. Courthouse renovations are in progress in Chatham, DeKalb, Forsyth, Pierce, Stewart, and Talbot counties.

DADE

CATOOSA

FANNIN

UNION

TOWNS

RABUN

WALKER

WHITFIELD MURRAY

CHATTOOGA FLOYD

GORDON
7
BARTOW

9 GILMER PICKENS

LUMPKIN

DAWSON

CHEROKEE FORSYTH

WHITE

HABERSHAM
STEPHENS FRANKLIN
BANKS

HALL

JACKSON

MADISON

HART ELBERT

FULTON

POLK HARALSON

PAULDING

COBB

DOUGLAS
5

BARROW

GWINNETT
4DEKALB

WALTON

CLARKE OCONEE

ROCKDALE

CLAYTON

NEWTON

MORGAN

CARROLL

FAYETTE

HENRY

OGLETHORPE WILKES
10

LINCOLN

GREENE

TALIAFERRO WARREN

MCDUFFIE

COLUMBIA RICHMOND

HEARD

COWETA

SPALDING

BUTTS

JASPER

PUTNAM

HANCOCK

GLASCOCK

TROUP

MERIWETHER
6

PIKE

MONROE LAMAR

UPSON

JONES

BALDWIN

JEFFERSON WASHINGTON

WILKINSON

BURKE

JENKINS

SCREVEN

HARRIS

TALBOT

CRAWFORD

BIBB

TWIGGS

JOHNSON

EMANUEL

MUSCOGEE

CHATTAHOOCHEE

MARION
3

STEWART

WEBSTER

TAYLOR MACON
SCHLEY SUMTER

PEACH HOUSTON BLECKLEY

8LAURENS

TREUTLEN

CANDLER

BULLOCH

EFFINGHAM

MONTGOMERY

DOOLY

PULASKI

DODGE

WHEELER

CRISP

WILCOX

TELFAIR

TOOMBS

EVANS

TATTNALL

BRYAN CHATHAM LIBERTY

QUITMAN

TERRELL

LEE

RANDOLPH

CLAY

CALHOUN DOUGHERTY

EARLY MILLER

BAKER

2

MITCHELL

SEMINOLE

DECATUR

GRADY

TURNER

WORTH

TIFT

BEN HILL IRWIN

COLQUITT

BERRIEN COOK

JEFF DAVIS APPLING

COFFEE

BACON

1

LONG

WAYNE

McINTOSH

ATKINSON

PIERCE

WARE

BRANTLEY

GLYNN

THOMAS

BROOKS

LANIER LOWNDES

CLINCH

CHARLTON

CAMDEN

ECHOLS

Construction throughout the state. Stephens County, in green, will dedicate its historic courthouse on November 23, 2008.

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Judicial Council/Administrative Office of the

Courts Mark 35 Years of Service

2008 marks the 35th anniversary of the Administrative Office of the Courts. The Judicial Council/AOC was established in 1973 to provide support services to the Georgia Courts. Over three decades the agency has

staffed judicial branch commissions and initiated projects intended for the benefit and improvement of the administration of justice. The AOC has carried out research studies, organized meetings and produced publications to assist judges in their daily work, from the appellate

courts in Atlanta to the smallest county court in the Ocmulgee Circuit.
Take a look at www.georgiacourts.org to learn more about the work of today's Judicial Council/Administrative Office of the Courts!

CLIMB TIL YOUR DREAM
COMES TRUE
Often your tasks will be many, And more than you think you can do. Often the road will be rugged And the hills insurmountable too. But always remember, The hills ahead Are never as steep as they seem, And with Faith in your heart Start upward And climb 'til you reach your dream. For nothing in life that is worthy Is ever too hard to achieve [f you have the courage to try it, And you have the faith to believe. For faith is a force that is greater Than knowledge or power or skill, And many defeats turn to triumph If you trust in God's wisdom and will. For faith is a mover of mountains, There's nothing that God cannot do, So, start out today with faith in your heart, And climb 'til your dream comes true!

2008-2009 Georgia Courts Directory Now Available!
Copies are $30, plus shipping costs. For more information, contact Ashley Stollar at ashley.stollar@gaaoc.us
Please Recycle

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THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS

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Savannah, GA

Things to do, places to go...

1) Old Town Trolley Tours Old Town Trolley/Ghosts & Gravestones - SAVE 10% when purchased online www.historictours.com/savannah
2) Oglethorpe - Gray Line Tours Trolley Tours of Savannah! $10pp, fully narrated, unlim. on/off until 5:30 www.oglethorpetours.com
3) 60's,70's & 80's Musical The Savannah Theatre presents this musical extravaganza www.savannahtheatre.com
RESTUARANTS
The Crab Shack (912) 786-9857 www.thecrabshack.com
Love's Seafood (912) 925-3616 www.lovesseafood.com
Chart House Restaurant (912) 234-6686 www.chart-house.com
Barbara Jean's Restaurant & Bar (912) 898-4424 www.barbarajeans.com
Chart House Restaurant (912) 234-6686 www.chart-house.com
Churchill's Pub & Restaurant (912) 232-8501 www.thebritishpub.com/

Firefly Cafe (912) 234-1971 www.fireflycafega.com
Hooters (912) 925-2536 www.hooters.com
Jazz'd Tapas Bar (912) 236-7777 www.jazzdsavannah.com
Live Wire Music Hall (912) 233-1192 www.livewiremusichall.com
Molly MacPherson's (912) 239-9600 www.macphersonspub.com
River Street Riverboat Company (800) 786-6404 www.savannahriverboat.com/
HISTORIC HOMES
Andrew Low House Built in 1848 for cotton merchant Andrew Low, this historic home features beautifully preserved interiors with period antiques. 329 Abercorn Street, (912) 2336854
Davenport House This historic Federal-style home, built between 1815 and 1820, was the house that launched Savannah's historic preservation movement in the 1950's. 324 E. State Street, (912) 236-8097

Flannery O'Connor House The childhood home of one of America's greatest writers, the Flannery O'Connor House features artifacts from O'Connor's years in Savannah. 207 E. Charlton Street, (912) 927-5289
Green-Meldrim Mansion General Sherman's Civil War headquarters, the Green-Meldrim Mansion is a fine example of neo-Gothic architecture and features a magnificent interior. Bull Street at Madison Square, (912) 232-1251

The Listserv....is ready to serve you!

We are setting up a listserv per the request of your Council and Advisor. The Listserv's purpose is to automatically send information out as well as provide interaction between all Magistrate Clerk/Secretary subscribers. For those of you who are not aware here are a few reasons to join listerv: 1) It's an inexpensive (free) way to interact with fellow Magistrates Court Clerks and discuss issues concerning your class of court, 2) Great way to seek out advice on unusual cases or cases you

may have not experienced before and, 3) It's a quick way to send urgent notices that may other wise require sending postcards, making long distance calls (faxes) and playing phone tag (remember the cost buildup).
The Council encourages you to subscribe to this list. It is convenient, informative, and not to mention, it can be used as a great reference in referring to past events. Subscribing takes one call or email. Once you have subscribed,

you will receive a welcome message, providing instructions on using the service To subscribe to the Magistrate Listserv, please contact LaShawn Murphy, AOC, at (404) 651-6325 or via email at murphyla@gaaoc.us
Welcome aboard to all new subscribers!

The Reporter's Notebook
244 Washington Street, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30334