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Madison Co. candidates file campaign contribution reports

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Friday, October 31. 2008

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Madison County candidates have filed their final campaign contribution reports before the Nov. 4 election.

Here is a list of candidates and their contributions in the Oct. 30 reporting period:

SHERIFF

•Clayton Lowe, Democratic incumbent, $20,929 in contributions, $12,217 in expenses. Itemized contributions in Oct. 30 reporting period: Harry Gordon, $200.

•Kip Thomas, Republican challenger, $9,770 in contributions, $12,424 in expenses. Itemized contributions in the Oct. 30 reporting period: Garnett Franklin Watkins, $250; Eloise Lunsford Weeks, $200.

BOC DISTRICT 4

•Melvin Drake, Democratic candidate, $0 contributions received; $947 in expenses. No itemized contributions for the Oct. 30 reporting period.

•Dewitt Bond, Republican candidate, no report filed.

BOC DISTRICT 5

•Bruce Scogin, Republican incumbent, $2,103 in contributions, $1,430 in expenses. No itemized contributions for the Oct. 30 reporting period.

•Cathy Livesay, Democratic challenger, no report filed.

PROBATE JUDGE

•Joley Barber, non-partisan candidate, $5,399 in contributions, $3,028 in expenditures. No itemized contributions for the Oct. 30 reporting period.

•Cody Cross, non-partisan candidate, $10,049 in contributions, $9,007 in expenses. Itemized contributions for the Oct. 30 reporting period are Gary Locke, $200; and Bill Madden, $100.

TAX COMMISSIONER

•Louise Watson, Democratic incumbent, $2,089 in contributions, $2,847 in expenses. No itemized contributions for the Oct. 30 reporting period.

•Kathy Stamps, Republican challenger, $4,100 in contributions received, $2,881 in expenses. No itemized contributions in the Oct. 30 reporting period.

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#1 Anonymous on 11/02/08 at 04:30 PM [Reply]

Cody Cross has served our county very well during his career and I know he will continue his great service as Probate Judge. Thanks Cody

#2 Anonymous on 11/02/08 at 06:06 PM [Reply]

Does either of these candidates for Probate Judge have a law degree or experience as a practicing attorney?

#2.1 Anonymous on 11/03/08 at 10:52 AM [Reply]

Neither candidate has a law degree. But, under Georgia law, becuase of the size of Madison County, neither candidate is required to have a law degree.

In addition, through the court authority, whoever is elected will receive all necessary training to interpret and understand the law once they take office.

Cody Cross' experience is totally LAW ENFORCEMENT. He has been a sheriff's deputy for approximately 16 years, with much of that time spent in criminal investigation. Although the Probate Court does deal with some criminal laws, much of the court's time is spent deciphering and interpreting wills, guardianships, and estate issues, as well as issuing gun and marriage licenses, among a host of other duties.

Joley Barber was the Clerk of the Probate Court in Clarke County for approximately 13 years. Much of her time there was spent as the Chief Clerk. She has also worked in a law office, and has considerable management experience within the court system. She is, by far, the better choice, because her experience within the Probate Court system has prepared her better for the job than the general law enforcement experience that Cross has. She understands all of the various facets of the court's duties, as well as the intricacies of the many of the laws she would need to interpret as Probate Court judge.

Both candidates seem to be honest and hardworking, but Barber will bring much more to the table because of her experience with actual probate issues.

#2.1.1 Anonymous on 11/03/08 at 11:34 AM [Reply]

It seems like a law degree should be a requirement for someone holding the title of Judge.

#2.1.2 Reseacher on 11/04/08 at 08:47 AM [Reply]

It's funny that you seem to start off stating facts, but you end with a campaign for Joley Barber. If you wanted to show the facts for the position of Probate Judge, maybe you should not show favortism!! I think that if anyone had been at the debate on Tuesday evening, they would have seen who to vote for!! It is an obvious choice. I will not state my choice here becuase I want people to make that decision on their own. My decision was based on one canidate's background and training!!! Also, it was not hard to observe the lack of public speaking ablities of one canidate!! Maybe the current Judge (who seems to be telling people he is being foreced into retirement) will be respectable and courteous to the winner. But I'm not really expecting that. Good Luck to all!

#2.1.2.1 Anonymous on 11/04/08 at 04:34 PM [Reply]

How do you imply that serving as a sheriff's deputy for 16 years gives you the experience to hold the office of Probate Judge,

verses 13 years a chief clerk of a probate court

#2.1.3 Anonymous on 11/04/08 at 11:23 AM [Reply]

I don't think "public speaking" is a requirement for Probate Judge, but I do believe having knowledge of the Probate Court System should be.....Barber definitely has that!!

#3 Anonymous on 11/03/08 at 10:43 AM [Reply]

Thanks for publishing this valuable information.

Your responsible reporting has given me yet ANOTHER reason NOT to vote for Louise Watson. Not only does she refuse to do her duty to the people of Madison County by having a tax sale to collect on all of the properties that have not paid and are not current on their taxes, she cannot even manage a campaign that responsibly stays in the black.

She may have been Tax Commissioner for 20 years, but it is time for new management in that office. Her irresponsible choices in office and in her campaign GUARANTEE that my vote will go to Kathy Stamps. One can only hope that other folks in the county will see these behaviors as negative as well and put in their vote for Stamps.

#4 Anonymous on 11/03/08 at 01:25 PM [Reply]

I agree. She blames everyone from the Board of Assessors, to not having enough staff, to the Board of Commissioners, for her downfalls.
JUST COLLECT THE TAXES, WHY DONT YOU?
We all have problems with our jobs, but stop blaming everyone else because YOU have not collected all the back taxes owed to this county.
If there is a problem, tell the BOC, come up with a solution and cure the problem.

#4.1 Anonymous on 11/04/08 at 07:23 PM [Reply]

Perhaps as the votes come in you will have hope that Kathy Stamps has one. I have no idea but you are lying when you say the troubles are with tax department or it's leader.This is just mean, but in politics who could expect anything more from some of the people in this county. What a shame for a person who has given so much for this county.You should be ashamed of yourself.But I am sure you are very pleased with your lie, most people who lie are sad little people with no life. Kathy you and Donna need to get a life.pitiful people

#4.1.1 Dee Epps Reynolds on 11/04/08 at 07:39 PM [Reply]

Donna Epps is my mother and she is far from pitiful. She is a caring mother that raised 3 children and worked the the Tax office for almost 24 years. Doesn't sound pitiful to me. People are entitled to their opinion, but when you speak negatively of my mother I will have to speak up.

To me the "sad little people with no life" would be the one that post an Anonymous comment about a person. At least put your name on the comment.

#5 Anonymous on 11/05/08 at 07:15 AM [Reply]

Ms Dee Epps, you are correct, I should have stated my case better. I am sorry for any harm caused by my words,that was not the intent. I am sure your mother is a great mom. It's good the election is over with. Sometimes we get caught up in the maddness. Please forgive me...

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