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Probate Judge to be named Friday
Published Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The retirement of Probate Judge Bill Stone must have indeed been the shortest in history.
At least that’s how it looked when he returned to his office at 7 a.m. Wednesday morning.
Without someone officially in office to take his place, Stone said he couldn’t leave without knowing legally how the probate office would regulate without a leader.
“I came in at 7 a.m. knowing we were going to get this worked out,” Stone said. “Nothing in particular was wrong, but we had to all agree on the legal status.”
And though he is still officially retired, Stone has been appointed as special probate judge incase there is an emergency hearing before someone is named to his seat.
The office, which could not be opened early Wednesday without someone to stand accountable, only remained closed for a few hours.
That’s after Chief Clerk Donna (Fannin) Gilliam, who retired Tuesday along with Stone, agreed to expand her duties and stay in office until a new appointment is made.
“My first allegiance would be to Judge Stone and to not interrupt his retirement and also to provide service for the county,” Gilliam said. “Somebody had to be here to open the doors.”
So, by 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Stone and Gilliam had worked with the governor’s office to reach an agreement on how it would be run, and doors that were closed to the public were opened.
Gov. Bob Riley, who has to appoint the next probate judge, said he expects to have reached a decision by Friday.
“I finally interviewed all the applicants, and I’m going to meet with all the people who have conducted interviews (Wednesday) or (Thursday), and I want to have it done by Friday,” Riley said.
Until then, Gilliam will continue overseeing probate work and making the deposits for transactions.
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Comments
Posted by Ramsey (anonymous) on April 1, 2009 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you Donna and Bill for your continued service to Pike County!
Posted by alonecitygal (anonymous) on April 2, 2009 at 12:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gonna miss you Judge Stone and Donna's smile. Can't recall a time when you went to or saw them that they did not speak or smile.
Posted by olerooster (anonymous) on April 2, 2009 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you to the retirees. Good job Mr. Riley for letting these people enjoy their retirement. I know that I did not learn of their retirement until a couple of months ago, but I am sure that the powers that be have known for a lot longer. Keep tracking down those bingo machines that you have to return the next week instead of insuring that this community has the leaders in place to conduct business!!!!
Posted by need2no (anonymous) on April 2, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with the others Donna and Bill Stone were always nice and polite to the public. It was the other workers who most people had problems with. Enjoy your time you have earned it.
Posted by blissfullygreen (anonymous) on April 2, 2009 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree olerooster. If Bob Riley had his priorities straight, we would already have a new Probate Judge and Judge Stone and Donna could actually enjoy their first few days of retirement! Their shoes will be hard to fill but I hope the new Judge will get that place in order fast! Let's make good attitudes a top priority!
Quit worrying about shutting down bingo halls and start taxing them and using the money for schools! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that people want to play these games so you might as well let the state make money from it!
Posted by Jack_Bauer (anonymous) on April 2, 2009 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I predict Wes Allen will be appointed.
Posted by OldTimer (anonymous) on April 2, 2009 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I predict Jack_Bauer is correct. At least that is the rumor I heard
today.
Posted by feb051945 (anonymous) on April 2, 2009 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Looks to me as if Dr.Hawkins and state Rep. Allen from Tuscaloosa has more power with the Gov. than Rep. Boothe, or did he join forces. Very bad day for Pike County
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