Hammond runs for Superior Court
Local attorney Britt Hammond has decided to throw his hat in the ring for the position of Superior Court Judge of the Toombs Judicial District currently held by Judge E. Purnell Davis. Mr. Hammond is a partner at Hammond and Hammond Attorneys at Law of Thomson.
"This is a job that just lawyers can have," Mr. Hammond said. "I want to put my name in the hat and see if I can serve in this capacity."
Mr. Hammond has called Thomson home all his life. He is a 1987 graduate of Thomson High School and is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Thomson.
Mr. Hammond earned his undergraduate degree at North Georgia College, and he received his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He currently represents the Department of Family and Children Services working with neglected and abused children.
"I've always enjoyed working with people, and I enjoy serving. I think this is an opportunity to do so," Mr. Hammond said. "Judge Davis, I certainly hate to lose him. He's a fine man, but when he announced his retirement that created an opportunity, and I want to be involved in it."
Other local attorneys Jimmy Plunkett and Hal Hinesley have also announced that they will be running for the same position.
Farr recognized
McDuffie County Commissioner Bob Farr received a certificate of recognition as a Certified County Commissioner from The University of Georgia and the Association County Commissioners of Georgia. In order to receive the recognition, Mr. Farr had to complete 48 hours worth of instruction from the ACCG and UGA. At a County Commission meeting last week, Chairman Charlie Newton congratulated Mr. Farr.
Funding saves teaching positions
The 14 teaching positions originally planned to be cut by the McDuffie County School System could be reduced to 10 because of extra funds from the state of Georgia. Dearing Elementary and Thomson Middle would both lose one position.
Norris and Thomson Elementary would lose two positions, and Thomson High would lose three. Maxwell would lose three paraprofessional positions in exchange for the one teaching position they were scheduled to lose.
The Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the changes during its April 15 meeting.
White Columns nixes DJ
There will no longer be a DJ in the lounge on Friday and Saturday nights at the White Columns Plantation House.
According to owner Epp Wilson, the noise and hassle it caused the late dinner crowd at the restaurant was the reason behind pulling the plug.
"The building wasn't designed the best to have an active noisy lounge," Mr. Wilson said. "The environment in the dining room is going to be better on up until closing time...You won't have to read lips to carry on a conversation."
The move was part of a plan to revamp the entire restaurant.
