SPALDING CO. SUPPORTS A 5TH SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE

AT TUESDAY'S REGULAR MEETING—THE SPALDING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO WRITE A LETTER IN SUPPORT OF A 5TH SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE IN THE GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT.

CHIEF JUDGE CHRIS EDWARDS WHO ADDRESSED THE BOARD SAID THE CIRCUIT QUALIFED—AS AN AT NEED CIRCUIT—BECAUSE OF CASELOAD. A 5TH JUDGE WILL COST SPALDING COUNTY $20,000 MORE THAN CURRENTLY FUNDED --- JUST OVER $85,000 BUT THE COURTS WILL OPERATE MORE EFFICIENTLY—HE SAID. THE GA. GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL MAKE THE FINAL DECISION ON FUNDING A 5TH JUDGE.

COUNTY ATTORNEY JIM FORTUNE REPORTED THE CITIZENS ETHICS COMMITTEE CLEARED BOTH COMMISSIONERS GWEN FLOWERS-TAYLOR AND DON HAWBAKER OF ETHICS VIOLATIONS DURING A RECENT HEARING. FLOWERS-TAYLOR CALLED ON THE BOARD TO REVIEW ITS ETHICS RULES AND DISCUSS THE GROUNDS FOR VIOLATIONS.