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Tuesday, March 2,2021 ®jje Hrraltr <©a?£tt£ 3A Part two: Chief magistrate judge tell views at Milner forum held candidates last week KAY S. PEDROTTI kayspedrotti@gmail.com Editor’s Note: This is part two of the forum involving the four candidates for chief magistrate judge. Part one was published in the Feb. 23 edition. Question 5: The “good ol’ boy” system is a concern to many Lamar residents who see favors are granted and special treatment given to those with the right connections. If elected, it is a guarantee that at some time you will be looking at a warrant targeting a friend or fam ily member. How can the people know that you will judge fairly and not show bias? Would you sign that warrant knowing it targets one of your associates? Mason: This seems to be a common prob lem, or perception, in Lamar County. The magistrate must judge fairly with out bias; the rule of law applies to all people; the courtroom is no place for favors. Williamson: Law officers have faced this problem and are required to apply the law fairly to everyone. Once when 1 thought my career might be over if 1 locked up a judge, 1 did it anyhow because there was probable cause for the arrest, and that was my job. My statistics show 1 have done my job equitably. I MASON WILLIAMSON ENGLISH English: With all due respect to my law enforcement friends, this illustrates the differ ence be tween a law enforcement education and a legal education. It is best for the judge to recuse himself not because a decision might include impropriety, but the ap pearance that there may be bias. The late Judge Jackson recused herself and brought in another judge because the case involved me and we were friends. If there is any suspicion of bias, the judge should recuse. Kunst: 1 think these things happen consis tently; 1 believe an attorney or judge has to be able to separate feelings and emotions from the facts. If you don’t look just at the facts, and not the person, some bias will creep in. In some cases recusal is certainly appropriate, but if a judge is known to be able to separate the facts and the law from emotions, there is no reason for recusal. Question 6: Personal business interests - this is a concern for some about elected officials, par ticularly judges. If elected, would you continue to op erate those businesses or step away, knowing that many elected officials use their positions to advance their personal interests? Williamson: If elected, 1 would resign from the Lamar County sheriff’s office and give up law enforcement. English: I had to leave my job with the city in order to run for chief magistrate; 1 could not go back to that job. 1 have two businesses, manag ing the family farm and honey selling; these are weekend-only activities and would not generally demand my time serving as chief magistrate judge. Kunst: I have two auto service businesses and one law practice 1 would not close ei ther of the QuickLube locations because my presence is not required daily at either. 1 have managers and visit just to let my employees know 1 care about them and whether they need anything. One can not wear two hats in a courtroom, so my law practice would certainly be scaled back not to in terfere with the primary responsibility of being chief magistrate judge. Mason: 1 certainly would have to stop “wearing many hats” and devote my time to being magistrate. That office requires giving up my job as a police chief; if elected, 1 would resign that job. Question 7: Personal connections - the likeli hood of being friends or relatives of persons in elected positions is moder ately high. For the sake of transparency, do you have any personal friendships or relatives currently holding elected office or a person appointed to a position of influence? English: I know almost every politician in Lamar County, but 1 never been in their homes nor have they been in mine. 1 try to maintain a civil work ing relationship with everybody, whether 1 like them or not - some of them dislike me intense ly- Kunst: 1 have no close relatives or family in elected positions. 1 am on cordial terms with all officials, but 1 am not involved with anyone in an elected office. Mason: I know every elected official here, and 1 consider them friends with whom 1 can ex change information and learn about them as we do make friends. 1 like to learn about all kinds of people; 1 see no conflict in being just friends with elected officials. Williamson: Sheriff Brad White is my friend, but we are on a business basis at work. 1 know some judges and officials whom 1 consider ac quaintances, not friends; there are no close rela tionships. (Floyd interrupted at this point to emphasize there was no “right or wrong” answer to that ques tion. The purpose, he — said, was FLOYD tQ g nc j “ are you truthful?”) Question 8: What is your greatest strength that you believe is relevant to this position? Kunst: Mine would be attention to detail, whether working on a car or legal case or other situation. 1 can examine the facts, ascertain the case and make an in formed decision. If one little piece of any case is overlooked or dis missed, it could change outcomes. 1 think 1 have a reputation for a level of detail that has favor ably affected my interac tion with customers and clients for 25 years in business and four years as an attorney. Mason: My long career experience and my ability to teach others. Helping people learn has been a goal for me all my life, whether on the recreation field or in the classroom or on the job in law enforcement. Learning and teaching are my strengths. Williamson: Dedica tion to the job. If you have passion for your work, dedication will follow. The sheriff has entrusted me with the supervision of storing evidence in crimes. 1 think also that 1 choose integrity over popular opinion. Rebuttals included: Kunst made clear he would recuse himself if a case were affecting one of his businesses as well as family or friends. He also noted that he is appreciative of his fel low candidates’ experi ence in criminal law, but feels the civil aspect is equally important. Mason stated that law enforcement does involve all courts and cases, not just criminal. He stands by his abilities and integrity and gave the example of working with magistrate Rita Ca- vanagh, who has served in the post for more than 40 years: “She maintains that magis trate is a people’s court where citizens and the judge can come togeth er to solve problems, where lawyers are not necessary and jurors are not wanted. And 1 agree.” Williamson noted that not all education comes from books and classrooms. During his 22 years in law enforce ment, he has seen the “backsides” of the courts, when attorneys work with police who have done thorough work on a case and a plea deal can be made without ever reaching the courtroom. When a law officer first reaches a potential crime scene, it has to be determined whether a crime has been committed - it may be a civil issue. Our work involves much more than making ar rests and testifying in court. English reiterated his businesses are weekend efforts and would not interfere with being magistrate. He said has been accused of nui sance noise, but has re ceived only one citation which was dropped, and no other civil or criminal complaints have been filed against him or the businesses in eight years of opera tions. Floyd concluded with thanks and reminders that the chief magis trate election is March 16. estoration & roofing Your hometown restoration and roofing experts! & op Water Damage Restoration Fire Damage Repair Mold Removal & Remediation New and Remodel Roofs On call 24/7 • 470 479 0205 Todd Coursey- Owner / Licensed and Insured www.centralgeorgiarestoration.com 24-7 Emergency Service Available On Call 24-7-365 Rough winter weather can be tough on your roof. We have crews on standby with tarps ready to respond at any time of the day or night and save your belongings if you experience a problem. Call us and talk to a live dispatcher, not a recording! Jlicemed & daiwied OVER 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE! CALL TODAY! 678-521-9747 www.advancedroofingandinteriors.com SERVING THE PUBLIC SINCE 1867 • NOMINATED FOR PULITZER PRIZE %\)t iieralb barnesville.com SUBSCRIBE REAL NEWS REAL NEWSPAPER All Subscriptions include ... • Print edition * eEdition * Breaking news 24/7 All for only $30 a year or $5 a month 770.358.NEWS (6397); drculation@bamesville.com; Print And Online ACC6SS 509 Greenwood Street • P.O. Box 220, Barnesville, GA 30204 if Ifii' ELECT SHANNON WILLIAMSON CHIEF MAGISTRATE JUDGE FACT CHECK Georgia -159 Counties 111- Counties Have Chief Magistrates Without A Law Degree 47 - Have A Law Degree Let’s Keep Lamar County Magistrate “The People’s Court” Please Vote Me 112!