CLARKESVILLE - Mountain Judicial Circuit Superior Court Chief Judge Chan Caudell has released the names of those who have applied to become Habersham County's next chief magistrate judge.<br />
<br />
"We had a great response from applicants," Caudell said Wednesday. "I believe we had 13 apply."<br />
<br />
"Judge Smith and I are hoping to interview the top four or six candidates," Caudell said. "We hope to accomplish that by the end of next week, with an announcement to follow shortly thereafter."<br />
<br />
Applicants for the position include: Brian P. Bilbrey, Kimberly Campbell, Kathy Chitwood, R.C. Cougill, Lorne H. Cragg, Dale Joey Eller, Tonya Denise Elrod, Douglas H. Griffin, Douglas L. Henry, T. Gabriel Hotard Jr., Tricia L. Hise, Gerald William Johnson and Robert A. Kilgore.<br />
<br />
Current Chief Magistrate James N. Butterworth announced his retirement recently. That retirement is effective July 15.<br />
<br />
Butterworth hand delivered a letter to Caudell on June 9.<br />
<br />
"I have been honored by the people of Habersham County to serve as chief magistrate judge for 16 years," Butterworth's letter states. "In that time, the office has grown from a small, three-person operation in the old courthouse to an eight-person office in the new courthouse, encompassing the clerk of the magistrate court as well as the marshal's office in addition to the magistrate court."<br />
<br />
Butterworth's letter states he is ready to begin the "next chapter of my life with plans for my faith and my family."
