TheRoundabout
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J. Wade Padgett Sworn in as Georgia Court of Appeals Judge
Former Columbia County Superior Court Judge J. Wade Padgett has accepted a judgeship on the Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia Judge Padgett was appointed by Governor Kemp and sworn in for his newroleonApril 3, 2024,inAtlanta.
“The Court of Appeals of Georgia is delighted to welcome Judge Wade Padgett as our newest member. Judge Padgett brings a wealth of experience to our Court as a longtime and highly esteemed trial judge, a scholarly educator of judicial training, and an exceptional lawyer (prior to his judicial service),” Chief Judge Amanda Mercier stated “I am confident that he will continue to serve our state with distinction on the Court of Appeals, and all of his new colleagues are grateful for hiswillingnesstoserveinthiscapacity.”
Before the Columbia County Judicial Circuit’s creation in 2021, Padgett served as a superior court judge in theAugustaJudicialCircuit,wherehewasappointedbyGov.SonnyPerduein2009.
Previously, he was chief magistrate judge of Columbia County and maintained a solo law practice. Padgett also serves as a chair of new judge training for the Council of Superior Court Judges. He got his law degree fromtheGeorgiaStateCollegeofLaw.
Judge Padgett’s family includes Probate Judge Alice Padgett, son, Matthew (Marcie), and daughter Jordan (Curry) Isiminger. His grandchildren include Harrison and Wheatley Padgett as well as Claire and Grace Isiminger.
New Superior Court Judges
Barry A. Fleming has been appointed by Governor Kemp to join the Superior Court of the Columbia County Judicial Circuit replacing retired Judge James G Blanchard Judge Fleming is the founding partner of the law firm of Fleming Nelson, LLP, in Augusta, Georgia. He previously served as a partner for 11 years at the Augusta firm of Fulcher Hagler LLP. In addition to his law practice, he served as chairman of the Columbia County Board of Commissioners until 2002 when he was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives At the start of his second term in office, his fellow Republicans elected him majority whip Rep Fleming is a double graduate of the University of Georgia, receiving his undergraduate degree in 1988 and earning his law degree in 1994. Welcome back to Columbia County, Judge Fleming!
J. Grady Blanchard has been appointed by Governor Kemp to replace J Wade Padgett on the Superior Court of the Columbia County Judicial Circuit Judge Blanchard has served as the Chief Municipal Court Judge for Waynesboro and Louisville, GA, Associate Magistrate Judge for Columbia County, Grovetown, Wrens, and Stapleton, GA. He was an Associate at Shepherd, Plunkett, Hamilton, Bourdreaux & Tisdale as well as Fleming, Jackson, Ingram, and Floyd. He is a graduate of Augusta State University and the John Marshall Law School Welcome aboard, Judge Blanchard!
NewHospitalGroundbreaking!
On Monday April 1, 2024, Wellstar Columbia County broke ground on the new hospital that will be located on Gateway Boulevard in Grovetown. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and former Gov. Sonny Perdue, chancellor of the University System Board of Regents, topped the list of local and state officials who turned the first ceremonial shovels of dirt. Though the ceremony occurred Monday, site work and vertical construction on the hospital has beenunderwayformonths.
For several years, Columbia County has been Georgia’s most populous county without a fullservice hospital. When completed, Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center will span about 250,000 square feet, the size of more than four football fields. Its emergency department will house a Level II trauma center, which offers definitive 24hour treatment for sudden injuries. The closest Level II to Augusta is in Athens at Piedmont Athens Regional. The hospital’s 100 patient rooms will be “acuity-adaptable,” meaning the rooms are designed to more efficiently bring care to a patient instead of transporting a patient to different in-hospital care sites. Other hospitals have used the strategy to combatovercrowding.
“Today’s groundbreaking is a great symbol of the incredible partnership between the state, local and private sector leaders and what is being done every day to expand access to quality, affordable healthcare to Georgians throughout the state,” said Governor Brian P. Kemp. “Through this partnership, Columbia County and the surrounding rural area will be able to experience innovative care and the state will benefit from the generations of new minds that will be molded to provide care in the years to come.”
A host of state and local dignitaries attended the groundbreaking ceremony.
Pictured left to right: Commissioner Connie Melear, State Representative Gary Richardson, Commisioner Alison Couch, and Commission Chairman Doug Duncan
Governor Brian Kemp addresses the audience
TheMarketisNowOpen!
OnTuesdayApril2,2024,ourBoardofCommissionersofficiallycuttheribbonto openTheMarket It’sanopenairvenuelocatednexttothePerformingArts Center. Itwillbeusedforspecialeventsandcanberentedoutbythepublic.
ContactCommunityServicesifyouareinterestinginrentingit
Commissionerscuttheribbon!AlsoattendingwereGary Richardson,GAHouseofRepresentatives, andCountyAdministration.
Viewfromunderneaththeroofcovering
Emergency Management Kudos
Congratulations to EMA Deputy Director Suzie Hughes and EMA Planning Coordinator Corbin Cooney on obtaining their Georgia Professional Emergency Management Certification with Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security!
The Georgia Professional Certification for Emergency Managers is the highest level of Emergency Manager Certification achievable in the State of Georgia. This certification is limited to individuals who serve in positions within emergency management organizations Applicants must be approved by a local Emergency Management Director or the Chief Elected Official for local Jurisdictional participants.
Since the beginning of the program in 1999, less than 90 Georgia Emergency Managers have achieved the status of a Certified Georgia Professional Emergency Manager Today approximately 48 are actively working in the field of Emergency Management Those who achieve this level of professionalism in any field should be greatly commended for their hard work and commitment to the citizens of the State of Georgia and their local Jurisdictions.
With their achievement, Hughes and Cooney join EMA Director Shawn Granato as Professional CEMs making Columbia County the only county in the state with three!
Water Utility would like to congratulate the following employees:
George Whetstone for passing his Water Operator Class III exam and becoming a state licensed operator!
Randall Andringa for passing his Water Operator Class III exam and becoming a state licensed operator!
Mike Jones for passing his Maintenance Technology 3 exam and becoming certified!
Submit Christy Trainer, W
In 2022, we began our new employee referral incentive where current
In 2022, we began our new employee referral incentive where current employees could earn a day of PTO for referring a new hire. Once the employees could earn a day of PTO for referring a new hire. Once the new hire completes one year of service, our current employees are new hire completes one year of service, our current employees are credited with the PTO. credited with the PTO.
With
Congratulations to the following employees
Congratulations to the following employees who have earned a day of PTO who have earned a day of PTO as of as of 4/11/24: 4/11/24:
Jamese Walker - Board of Elections
Jamese Walker - Board of Elections
Dylan Wood - Roads & Bridges
Dylan Wood - Roads & Bridges
Rachael Price - Magistrate Court
Rachael Price - Magistrate Court
Elizabeth Hobbs - Columbia County Library
Elizabeth Hobbs - Columbia County Library
Calvin Green - WU Water Distribution
Calvin Green - WU Water Distribution
UPCOMING EVENTS
April20th
https://pages.lls.org/voy/ga/augusta24/kcason
Sale FOR Sale FOR For Sale: Bassett Furniture Living Room Couch and Loveseat Cushion Covers Removable & Machine Washable (Pillows not included) $450 obo Contact Jennifer Neal (Risk Management) at 706-829-4713 or jneal@columbiacountyga gov For Sale The Hunter Rain Boots are a women’s size 8 selling them for $80 and the Michael Kors Crossbody Bag selling it for $80. The best way to reach me would be by my email address lstahler@columbiacountyga.gov or text me at 706-294-4745. Lindsay Stahler Executive Assistant Planning Services Division
Lt. Leo Zahare (Fire Rescue) and his wife are new grandparents!
Daughter Brittany Vollmer and her husband Nikki had a baby girl on Leap year day 2/29/24,
Lillian Violet Vollmer
Arrival at 5:04 am
8 pounds and 10 oz and 19 inches long Picture on left is Lt Leo Zahare (Grampy) and Lillian
~ Submitted by Della Hendrix, Office Manager CCFR
New Grandparents!