Broadrick won’t run for re-election, plans to travel

Published 11:07 pm Monday, January 14, 2008

After almost eight years on the bench, Whitfield County Probate Court Judge Ray Broadrick says he will not seek a third term this year.

“I’ll be 70 this year,” Broadrick said. “I know that’s not very old for some people. I’m looking forward to doing some traveling.”

Broadrick said he first became interested in Probate Court, then called the Ordinary Court, when he was a teen. He said he would stop at the “old, old” courthouse on his way to Dalton High School.

“Those people were just so kind, and it seemed like they had their act together and they were helping people. That seemed like something I really wanted to do,” he recalled.

“I taught school for 33 years, and I finally decided if I’m ever going to run I’ve got to run now,” he said.

Broadrick said there have been many accomplishments in his seven years in office.

“I had a TV special on new traffic laws that people told me was a great thing to do,” he said.

And he had Probate Court clerks trained to take fingerprints for pistol permits. Broadrick said this cuts down on citizens having to go to the sheriff’s office.

“That was back in 2001,” he recalled.

He said he wants to get a live-scan fingerprinter and reader before he leaves office. The equipment would decrease the return time for a pistol permit from months to hours, Broadrick said.

“That’s one of the big things we do,” he said.

Broadrick also said Whitfield County residents will soon have access to more information online, such as wills and marriage licenses.

“I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve had a great time,” he said of his time on the bench.