Chief Magistrate Candidates Appear At Forum

Stephens County voters hear from the candidates for Chief Magistrate.

Incumbent Don Tabor and challenger Ralph Stowe both spoke at Thursday’s Town Hall forum at the Schaefer Center in downtown Toccoa.

The main issue of difference between the two men was whether the Chief Magistrate position should be a full-time or a part-time position.

Currently, the position is part-time.

Tabor said it should stay that way.

“We generally have court three to four times a month,” said Tabor. “There are some things that come up from time to time, search warrants, arrest warrants, special hearings, which I am available for even though I am not in the office. My law practice is just a few steps from the courthouse. Law enforcement, the GBI, know where my office is if they need an arrest warrant or a search warrant. There is no reason for a judge to have to sit around waiting for someone to walk in a door.”

However, Stowe said he would make it a full-time position.

“According to everything that is going on, you never know when an officer is going to need a warrant,” said Stowe. “Having somebody there all the time will help. Also, it would equip that person there to know exactly what goes on in that office and know exactly where everything is going to.”

Tabor also touted his experience as a practicing attorney, saying that is important for the position, while Stowe says his experience in law enforcement makes him uniquely qualified.

Voters will choose between the two candidates in the May primary.