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Law is new city judge
By Matt Aiken
The Dahlonega City Council named Hammond Law as the new municipal court judge at their Dec. 7 meeting. And while the council seemed to have no problem with the candidate himself, two members objected to the manner in which he was selected.
“If we select a person for any position in secret then we're not doing our duty,” said council member Gerald Lord. “I think it should be opened to the public for any objections.”
The decision to name Law as the replacement for former city judge Jeffrey Wolff was made behind closed doors a week earlier during an executive session. Though the council can legally discuss the hiring of new personnel in such a session, this still did not sit right with Lord and Sam Norton.
“I don't think we're doing anything in secret,” responded council member Michael Clemons. “I just think we're promoting from within,”
Council member Ralph Prescott said that very few local candidates would be eligible for such a job anyway.
“I'd be more concerned with this Mr. Mayor if we had more people that were qualified,” he said.
However, Norton pointed out that since the position was never advertised, the council has no idea who is qualified anyway.
“Maybe we do or do not have someone qualified in Dahlonega,” he said. “But we will never know. We haven't accepted any other application. I feel like that, especially in the judicial [business], this is flawed.”
The duties of the city judge range from ruling over minor traffic violations to misdemeanor crimes which occur within the city limits. The judge presides once a monthly basis at city hall.
Law has served as the associate municipal judge of Dahlonega for several years and has filled in for Wolff on numerous occasions.
In the end, Norton and Lord voted against the motion to hire Law, while councilmen Terry Peters, Johnny Ariemma, Prescott and Clemons voted for it.
“You derail the system when we say we're gonna open this it up,” said Ariemma. “If we didn't have the right man, then we wouldn't be elevating him right now.”
“If we select a person for any position in secret then we're not doing our duty,” said council member Gerald Lord. “I think it should be opened to the public for any objections.”
The decision to name Law as the replacement for former city judge Jeffrey Wolff was made behind closed doors a week earlier during an executive session. Though the council can legally discuss the hiring of new personnel in such a session, this still did not sit right with Lord and Sam Norton.
“I don't think we're doing anything in secret,” responded council member Michael Clemons. “I just think we're promoting from within,”
Council member Ralph Prescott said that very few local candidates would be eligible for such a job anyway.
“I'd be more concerned with this Mr. Mayor if we had more people that were qualified,” he said.
However, Norton pointed out that since the position was never advertised, the council has no idea who is qualified anyway.
“Maybe we do or do not have someone qualified in Dahlonega,” he said. “But we will never know. We haven't accepted any other application. I feel like that, especially in the judicial [business], this is flawed.”
The duties of the city judge range from ruling over minor traffic violations to misdemeanor crimes which occur within the city limits. The judge presides once a monthly basis at city hall.
Law has served as the associate municipal judge of Dahlonega for several years and has filled in for Wolff on numerous occasions.
In the end, Norton and Lord voted against the motion to hire Law, while councilmen Terry Peters, Johnny Ariemma, Prescott and Clemons voted for it.
“You derail the system when we say we're gonna open this it up,” said Ariemma. “If we didn't have the right man, then we wouldn't be elevating him right now.”
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of thedahloneganugget.com.
Angela wrote on Dec 16, 2009 3:29 PM:
" Hammond Law is an Awesome Attorney and glad he got the position!! "
I dont give a damn wrote on Dec 16, 2009 4:35 PM:
" I don't give a damn because I don't live in the city "
johnjohn wrote on Dec 17, 2009 8:34 AM:
" To the Nugget:
Why do you censor political comments or comments the you feel may offend some, yet you will publish cuss words? I don't think it is right for you to pick and choose the opinions. Keep the vulgarity out though. "
Why do you censor political comments or comments the you feel may offend some, yet you will publish cuss words? I don't think it is right for you to pick and choose the opinions. Keep the vulgarity out though. "
dear prescott wrote on Dec 17, 2009 6:20 PM:
" When referring to people - use "who" not "that".. we're not things.... then again, you're on the council, perhaps you do consider the citizens of this county things.... hmmmmmm "
Dear johnjohn wrote on Dec 18, 2009 12:25 PM:
" Johnny, The only word I see that can even in any way could be considered a cuss word is "damn" and that is not a cuss word. If you don't believe me look in the bible. That's right the word "damn" is in several places in the bible, only back then people were smart enough to know what it means. If you don't like the word you should have never run for public office. "
j. lebowski wrote on Dec 19, 2009 1:41 PM:
" "dear johnjohn," why don't you go to your preacher after his next sermon and say, "I don't give a damn." Then ask him if that inappropriate and vulgar, or is it holy because it's in the Bible. "
Fitting wrote on Dec 19, 2009 1:43 PM:
" Well atleast his name is fitting for a judge. I bet not many communities can say they have a judge named Law. "
Dear johnjohn wrote on Dec 20, 2009 9:33 AM:
" j. lebowski, I don't go to church where thay have "preachers" my church has ministers. "
j. lebowski wrote on Dec 21, 2009 4:12 PM:
" That is supposed to make a difference? I was unaware that ministers we pro-cussing. "
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For example, if Mr. Fill-in-the-Blank says something you don't agree with, don't tell the world that Mr. Fill-in-the-Blank is a no good dirty scoundrel who cuts off people in traffic and has owed you $20 since 1997. The Nugget asks you to please just stick to the issues at hand. That way we'll keep the debate lively, without getting personal. And remember, above all else, keep it civil and directed at the topic that's being discussed. We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
What did Johnny say wrote on Dec 16, 2009 2:59 PM:
I would like to have applied for this job. I think there are a half dozen attorneys in town that need the work right now and would have been excellent candidates.
Thanks for thinking of us Sam and Gerald.
Johnnie forgot all those promises he made in the election already.
45 days and all promises are broken already. "