The reporter's notebook: the official newsletter of Georgia's Magistrate Court Clerks, Vol. 4, Issue 2 (Fall 2009)

Vol 4, Issue 2

The Reporter's

Fall 2009

Notebook

The Official Newsletter of Georgia's Magistrate Court Clerks

Executive Committee 2008/2009 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 all doing well. We are snowed under here in Fayette Co., I guess its called "Job Security". We had a good turn-out in July at Brasstown Valley and look to having about the same attend in December at Callaway Gardens. As you know, this year is an election year and I have attached a sample absentee ballot to show all nominees received so far. You may request an official ballot from Stacy Askew, Chair of our Nominating Committee. She is in the Dooly County magistrate office. Her phone number is 229-268-4324 and e-mail address is doolymagclerk@yahoo.com. The election will be held December 3rd during our business meeting and further nominations may be received

from the floor prior to the election per our by-laws. Absentee Ballots will be numbered, but if you submitted an absentee ballot and are attending the December meeting, your absentee ballot will not be counted as you will be voting at the meeting.
It has been my pleasure to serve as your President these past two years. If there is anything I can do to assist you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me. My office number is 770716-4236 and my e-mail address is dbarron@fayettecountyga.gov.
Sincerely,
Debbie Barron President

Website news
We are pleased to announce the launching of Council of Magistrate Clerks and Secretaries website! Please take a moment to review and share with your co-workers: http://w2.georgiacourts.org/cmccs
On the site there is a place for you and anyone else interested, to subscribe to the newsletter. Whenever a new edition is available it will arrive in your inbox.

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The Reporter's Notebook

Council of Magistrate Court Clerks & Secretaries Executive Committee Members 09-10

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 706-3436364 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

Gayle Collins, Secretary Treasurer Whitfield Co. Magistrate Court P.O. Box 386 Dalton, GA 30722 706-278-5052/Fax 706-278-8810 ggazaway@whitfieldcountyga.com

Jo Anne Jones, Imm. Past Pres. Lowndes Co. Magistrate Court P.O. Box 1349 Valdosta, GA 31603 229-671-2620/Fax 229-671-3440 jjones@lowndescounty.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

Chief Judge Connie Holt, Morgan County

Gosh, time has really flown by since our training July 22nd thru 24th in Brasstown Valley. I can't believe fall is here already and winter will soon follow. Our Clerks and Secretaries Training at Callaway Gardens, is coming up really fast, and is on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of December. Callaway will be all decorated for Christmas and should be just beautiful. The last time we had Clerks and Secretaries Training at Callaway, we were able to attend the light show, ride the trolley through the gardens to view the Christmas lights, attend the craft exhibits and enjoyed awesome food. It was cold, but fun.
For those of you that did not attend training in July at Brasstown Valley, we had a great time there. You really missed some great training and wonderful instructors. Dr. Lynda Hanscome always out does

herself. The training for us in December will be mostly on the same scale and will again be great. I will have LaShawn add to the newsletter the ICJE Curriculum and schedule, however, the times may change, but the instructors and curriculum will be the same . The subject matter was just on point for all of us. Many of you spoke up, asked questions and really participated in class this time, which made the training that much more rewarding. I do believe that this was one of the best trainings we have had yet. The food and fellowship was just wonderful, and the mountains are always beautiful. The North Georgia Mountain Fair was going on in Hiawassee and I think a lot of us attended. There was much to see, eat and fun for all. I know everyone enjoyed themselves. I know I did,

Magistrate Clerks and Secretaries Seminar December 2 -4, 2009 Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA.

Landlord/Tenant--Hot Topics Unauthorized Practice of Law & NEW Pro Se Rules for Clerks Deposit Account Fraud Dormant Judgements & 2nd Originals Client Services: Best Practices Fi Fa's (Judgement and Appeals)

2 hours
2 hours 2 hours 1 hours 2 hours 2 hours

3
as well as my granddaughter. Remember this is an election
year for the Clerks and Secretaries Council and the elections will be held at the December Business meeting. If you have anyone you would like to nominate for any office, please be sure to call Stacey Askew from Dooly County, as she is the Nomination Committee Chair. Her contact information is: 2292684324.
Our listserv had been up and running for a while and is really catching on with everyone. Now our Clerks and Secretaries Web site is also up and running and it is amazing. I hope all of you will view it and use it, as it is truly great. LaShawn and Sharon, from the IT department, have really done a wonderful and outstanding job developing the site. Thank you LaShawn and Sharon, especially LaShawn, for all you do for us all the time.
Well, that is all the news now, but I cannot close without taking the time to thank Dr. Lynda Hanscome and Jean Hughes for all of the hard work they have done on our behalf. Jean did a great job in looking after all of us at Brasstown and we truly appreciate all she does. I especially want to thank Dr. Hanscome, as she really goes all out for us. She truly knows our Judges could not do their jobs without all of you.
I look forward to seeing all of you at Callaway Gardens in December, take care. Connie Holt

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In the News...

The Reporter's Notebook

Hello from Tattnall County Magistrate Court. We have had a busy year with a new Judge taking office this past January 2009 Judge James (Eddie) Anderson and in July we added William (Bill) Kicklighter to our staff as an Associate Judge. We also had a new clerk, Delores Williams to start in February and she attended seminar at Brasstown Valley in July. Ms. Delores came back very excited about what she was taught and things she learned from the New Clerk Classes. We look forward to the Clerk seminar in December at Callaway Gardens. I will close for now. Kay Reese, Reidsville, Georgia
Gordon County Magistrate Court has hired a new Part-time Deputy Clerk, Cathy Hollaran. Ms. Hollaran is filling a part time position that is being vacated by Jean Parrott, who is retiring after 26 years of service, 20 of which was served in the Magistrate Court. Also, Sr. Deputy Clerk Marcia West success-

fully completed her 80 hours of Civil and Criminal Certification for new Magistrates Sept. 04, 2009.
Hello to all of our magistrate offices from Fayette County. We have had a busy year. Everything is getting so much busier, dispossorys, crime... oh joy. We are a baby making factory in our magistrate office here. Helen has a new granddaughter, Anna's first grand daughter and first grandchild are due around Thanksgiving and Leslie is expecting her second grandbaby in April. Debbie's youngest son is in the Dominican Republic umpiring for the winter ball season. We all expect him to make the Majors very soon, he is a great umpire. Barry's son Kyle is back from Iraq safe and sound, he completed his service. He reminds us everyday to pray for the troops still there. Joh finally has all three of her girls in college. Man that is scary, what a bill that must be! Well I guess that's it. We may have more news but I can't remem-

ber right now. Have a bless rest of the year.
Hello from Whitfield County Magistrate Court. Deputy Clerk, Cesar Carmona, is no longer with us. Our new Deputy Clerk is Yuriana "Judy" Castaneda. Also, my Chief Deputy Clerk, Ethel Addis, recently found out she is going to be a grandmother. This will be her first grandchild! We also have a new judge. His name is Chris Griffin but everyone just calls him "'Punkin". I hope he gets to come to one of our clerk's training sessions. He is trying so hard to be a good magistrate. He already understands how important my staff is to him and wants to help us as much as possible. Hooray!!!!
Dawson County has two new additions to their staff: Deputy Clerk - Shaina Gonzalez and Part-time Garnishment Clerk, Mary Russo.

Budget Report: July 23, 2009 - October 21, 2009

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Council of Magistrate Court Clerks and Secretaries Budget Period November 8, 2007 - July 23, 2009

Beginning Balance

November 2, 2007 Regions Bank Check Printing

November 13, 2008Ck #001 (Reimbursement to G. Gazaway Shipping Charge)

February 11, 2008 Ck # 1000 USPS Postage

Balance as of period ending February 20, 2008

Deposit for February 20, 2008

"

" February 21, 2008

"

" February 26, 2008

"

" February 28, 2008

"

" March 3, 2008

"

" March 4, 2008

"

" March 11, 2008

Returned Check Paulding County # 128620

Returned Check Fee

Deposit for March 21, 2008

March 12, 2008 Bank credit for returned check

Deposit for March 18, 2008 (includes $50.00 from Paulding Co. #128959)

"

" March 24, 2008

"

" April 03, 2008

"

" April 22, 2008

Ending Balance as of April 24, 2008

No deposits in May

Deposit for June 5, 2008

"

" June 9, 2008

Ending Balance June 30th

Deposit for July 21,2008 (Pierce County)

July 21, 2008 Ck # 1001 S.S.S. Printing Services

(Invoice 80241Postage for CTS Newsletter)

Balance as of July 24, 2008

August 21, 2008 Ck #1002 Pierce County

(reimbursement pymt sent to wrong vendor)

Deposit for August 29, 2008 (Dues Fayette Co.)

Balance as of August 30, 2008

October 29, 2008 Ck #1003 S.S.S. Printing Services

(Invoice # 80228 Newsletter)

Balance as of October 29, 2008

December 16, 2008 Ck # 1004 S.S.S Printing Services

(Invoice # 80376 & # 80380 Newsletter & Printing and Mailing)

Balance as of December 30, 2008

Beginning Balance January 1, 2009
January 16, 2009 Ck# 1005 ICJE Lunch Marriott Savannah Balance as of February 28, 2009 March 30, 2009 Ck # 1006 USPS (Stamps) Balance as of March 31, 2009 April 13, 3009 Deposit Dues April 23, 2009 Deposit Dues Balance as of April 30, 2009 May 19, 2009 Deposit Dues Adjustment - Check entered on dep twice Balance as of May 31, 2009 June 25, 2009 Deposit Dues Balance as of June 30, 2009 July 21, 2009 Deposit Dues July 23, 2009 Deposit Dues Ending Balance as of July 23, 2009

$8,241.68 (-) 29.82 (-) 35.89 (-) 65.60
$8,110.37 20.00 180.00 280.00 250.00 230.00 330.00 520.00
(-) 50.00 (-) 7.00 110.00
7.00 510.00 70.00 80.00 70.00 $10,710.37 $10,710.37
30.00 10.00 $10,750.37 200.00 (-) 126.76
$10,823.61 (-) 200.00
50.00 $10,673.61
140.00
$10,533.61 (-) 266.76
$10,266.85
$10,266.85
(-) 4,262.38 $ 6004.47
(-) 67.20 $ 5,937.27
510.00 750.00 $ 7,197.27 240.00 (-) 10.00 $ 7,427.27 120.00 $ 7,547.27 50.00 150.00 $ 7,747.27

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The Reporter's Notebook

OFFICIAL BALLOT

Council of Magistrate Clerks & Secretaries Officer Elections--December 3, 2009

OFFICERS PRESIDENT ELECT: (Select One)
VICE PRESIDENT ELECT: (Select One) SECRETARY/TREASURER ELECT:(Select One)

_____Debbie Barron _____Alison Crews
_____Cynthia Kelly
_____Gayle Gazaway

District Representative Nominees: (Select Only One From Each District)
District One _____Kay Reese, Tattnall Co.
District Two ________________________
District Three _____Carla Brown, Lee Co. _____Connie Johnson, Sumter Co. _____Suzan Denson, Muscogee Co.
District Four _____Wendy Peacock, Rockdale Co.
District Five (FULTON CO) _____ _______________________

District Six _____Leslie Dukes, Fayette Co.
District Seven _____Sonya Petty, Murray Co. _____Monika Welchel, Bartow Co.
District Eight _____Hope Christian, Morgan Co.
District Nine _____Elaine Ray, Cherokee Co.
District Ten _____Paulette Williamson, McDuffie Co.

*Ballot must be returned, by mail, to Stacy Askew, Nominating Committee, by November 25, 2009.
Stacy Askew, Nominating Committee Dooly County Magistrate Court P.O. Box 336 Vienna, GA 31092-0336

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ANNOUNCEMENT

TO:

Georgia Magistrate Court Clerks and Secretaries

FROM: Lynda Hanscome, Ed.D., ICJE

DATE: April 2009

SUBJECT: 2009 CLERKS & SECRETARIES TRAININGS

ICJE is offering TWO 15 - hour Clerks & Secretaries Seminars this year.

Class 1: C&S Seminar July 22 24, 2009, at Brasstown Valley Resort, Young Harris, GA. Group Rate at: Brasstown Valley - $l39.00/Plus Tax & Daily Resort Fee of $5.00 Class Includes New Clerk's Training (Track B) & General Curriculum
Class 2: C&S Seminar Dec. 2 4, 2009 at Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA. Group Rate at: Callaway Gardens - $124.00/plus tax Class Includes - General Curriculum Only
Complete attached registration form if you wish to enroll. There is no fee for Clerks & Secretaries. However, you must complete and submit the registration form to be eligible. You may fax registration to 706-542-4211.
Registration information: Once registered, you will be sent a confirmation letter. You may then proceed to make your accommodation arrangements, if required. On the registration form, for Class 1 (July 22-24) be sure to indicate which Track you wish to be enrolled in: Track A (General Curriculum) or Track B (Introduction to the Magistrate Court for New Clerks & Secretaries). If you do not indicate your preference, you will be placed in Track A.
Important: No Travel/Mileage/Lodging/Food Expenses Will Be Reimbursed By ICJE
A group lunch will be provided on site July 23, 2009. A group lunch will be provided on site December 3, 2009.
Questions? Call: Lynda Hanscome, 706-542-7401; email: lynda@icje.law.uga.edu or Jean Hughes, 706-542-7940; email: jean@icje.law.uga.edu

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9

2009MAGISTRATECOURTCLERKS&SECRETARIES

REGISTRATIONFORM
ReturnthisformtoICJE,assoonaspossible.Mailingaddress:ICJE,123DeanRuskHall, UniversityofGeorgia,Athens,GA30602ORFaxto:7065424211.Thereisnoregistration feebutyoumustreturntheregistrationformtobeeligibleforenrollment.Questions?Call LyndaHanscomeat7065427401orEMail:lynda@icje.law.uga.eduORJeanHughesat 7065427940orEMail:jean@icje.law.uga.edu
NoTravel/Mileage/Lodging/FoodExpensesWillbeReimbursedByICJE ExceptforOneGroupLunchonJuly23,2009andDecember3,2009.
NAME:____________________________________TEL:________________________________ COUNTY:___________________________________SS#(last4digitsonly)_________________ ADDRESS:_______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ EMAIL:_________________________________________________________________________

Class1:July2224,2009BrasstownValleyYoungHarris,GA.

(AttendeesmustchooseeitherTrackAorTrackBonDay2)




Day2TrackAGeneralCurriculum

OR



Day2(4Hour)TrackBNewC&S





Class2:December24,2009CallawayGardens,PineMountain,GA.



GeneralCurriculumOnly



Pleasecheckhereifweneedtocontactyouregardingaphysicalordietaryneed.



ImportantInputRequestedFromYou!

1. ListquestionsforPanel(Theonlydumbquestionistheonenotasked).

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________



2. Pleasesuggesttopics/questionsthatshouldbeaddressedforNewClerks&Secretaries.



____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________



3. TorespondtoyourrequestformoreClerksTrainingClerks,pleaseindicateifyouarewilling

tofacilitateorassistinaunitofinstructioninyourseminar.


Yes!IwillcontributeandLyndaHanscomemaycontactmeattel:_________________

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ThE ADMINISTRATIvE OFFICE OF ThE COuRTS SuITE 300
244 WAShINgTON STREET, S.W. ATlANTA, gEORgIA 30334-5900
404-656-5171 FAX: 404-651-6449

NOTIFICATION OF ChANgE IN MAgISTRATE COuRT PERSONNEl

In accordance with the uniform Rules for Magistrates Courts: Rule 13. Notice of selection of magistrates, constables and clerks of magistrate court. Whenever a magistrate, constable, or clerk (but not deputy clerks) of the magistrate court shall take the oath required for office in O.C.G.A.15-10-3, the chief magistrate shall forward to the Administrative Office of the Courts the name and title of the person taking the oath; the name of the person being succeeded; the term of office, if appropriate; the date assuming duties; and the address and telephone number the official wishes to use for business correspondence.

ChIEF MAgISTRATE o

SENIOR MAgISTRATE o

MAgISTRATE o

ChIEF ClERK o ClERK o

CONSTABlE o

COuNTY ________________________

NAME_____________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS__________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

PhONE(____)_________________

FAX (___)___________________

EMAIl________________________________________________

gENDER: Female o Male o

ATTORNEY: Yes o

No o

ElECTION/APPOINTMENT DATE:__________________ TERM from___________to___________

REAPPOINTMENT: Yes o

No o

TERM from__________to__________

Replacing someone?_______ If So, Who?_______________________________________

has this person ever served as a magistrate? If so, when and in what county?_____________________

(Optional) Are you Spanish/hispanic/latino Yes o No o (Optional): RACE African American (Black) o Asian \ Pacific o Euro American (White) o American Indian or Alaska Native o

Fax or mail this form to the Administrative Office of the Courts at the contact information above.

Submitted by:

NAME______________________________________ ADDRESS___________________________________ PhONE #____________________________________

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11

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

Concerns with Second Originals
and Dormant Judgments Concerns with Second Originals and Dormant Judgments
Presentation "Correction"
Presentation "Correction"

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 e-mail. 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!

Chief Justice Hunstein Leads High Court

On July 1, 2009, Justice Carol W. Hunstein was sworn-in as the 28th Chief

impartial courts, dispense equal justice to everyone, and treat all those who enter our courts with dignity

was elected as a superior court judge in the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit where she served until 1993

Justice of the Supreme

when Governor Miller ele-

Court of Georgia. An

vated her to the Supreme

assembly of the Justices of

Court of Georgia.

the Supreme Court of

The new Chief Justice was

Georgia, Judges of the

the first woman to serve as

Court of Appeals, trial court

President of the Council of

judges, legislators, family

Superior Court Judges; she

and friends gathered in the

also chaired the Georgia

Supreme Court Courtroom

Commission on Gender Bias

to witness the event.

in the Court System. As

Justice Hunstein was intro-

Chief Justice, she chairs the

duced by Atlanta attorney

Judicial Council of Georgia

Ms. Linda Klein. The oath

and will continue to chair the

was administered by former

Chief Justice Carol W. Hunstein is sworn-in by former Gov. Zell Miller.

Georgia Committee on

Georgia Governor Zell Miller.

and respect," the new Chief Justice

Access and Fairness in the Courts.

"I will continue to work hard to

said.

ensure that we maintain fair and

In 1984, Chief Justice Hunstein

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