Tracy Brooks is a candidate for county Magistrate Judge. Read Brooks' response to the Mainstreet Newspapers candidate questionnaire below:
If you are the challenger, or running for an open seat, what do you hope to accomplish if elected to this position? What would you do differently from what’s being done now or in the past?
As your next Chief Magistrate Judge, I will continue to seek out and make efforts to streamline our office to better serve the community and make our office more approachable to everyone.
Why are you the best candidate for this position?
I have worked in Jackson County in the legal and judicial fields all of my career and bring 35 years of that career experience to the Office of the Magistrate.
Beginning as a Deputy Clerk, I worked for retired Clerk Reba Parks Wofford and handled Superior Court matters that deal with criminal, traffic, civil, juvenile, adoption, and real estate issues. Looking to broaden my experience I left the clerk’s office and began working for local attorneys as a paralegal and office manager. Ultimately, I returned to the courthouse by joining the Magistrate Court of Jackson County, spending the last 12 years working my way up from a data entry clerk to Chief Clerk of Magistrate Court to an appointed Associate Magistrate Judge, a position I have held for the for last 8 years. I have the background and experience for this office in State reporting, finances, audits, and budgeting.
I am the only candidate that has the diverse experience in all areas of the Magistrate court needed to hold this position. I have dedicated my entire career serving our community. I will continue to serve the people of Jackson County with integrity, fairness, and compassion, and it will be my great honor to continue to serve the people of Jackson County as your next Chief Magistrate Judge.
What is the most important issue you see that involves the position you are running for?
Our office deals with what is often labeled as “Small Claims” and “Evictions” but neither of these types of cases are “small” to those involved. The decisions made by a Magistrate Judge affect everyone, whether it be a monetary judgment or an arrest warrant. Thus, it is just as important that this court handles judgments fairly and accurately as it does in issuing arrest warrants and search warrants.
Magistrate court handles both criminal and civil cases, and I am the ONLY candidate that has the experience, training, and knowledge of both and have gained that experience, knowledge, and training in part as a sitting Associate Magistrate Judge.
I will not lessen the value or importance of any case or anyone that comes through this court and I will serve with Integrity, honesty and fairness to all who do.
Tell voters a little about yourself and your background:
I am a wife, mother and grandmother. My husband, Tim, and I have been married for 39 years and will celebrate 40 years in May. We own and have lived on our small farm in Maysville for the last 27 years. We attend Maysville Baptist Church where I sing in the choir. We have 2 twin daughters and one son who have given us seven grandchildren, and we are excited that we are expecting another grandson this year. I attended and graduated from Commerce High School. I then attended Gainesville College where I received my paralegal degree. I love the outdoors and love spending time with my family.
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