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. 2 The Reporter's Notebook 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? 4 The Reporter's Notebook 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: _________________ The Reporter's Notebook 5 6 The Reporter's Notebook 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. The Reporter's Notebook 7 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 8 The Reporter's Notebook THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS The Reporter's Notebook 9 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