After 13 years in office, Columbia County Judge Larry Atkinson announced this week that he will retire early from his elected position due to medical reasons.
The word came down officially Monday night at the Columbia County Quorum Court’s regular December meeting.
“After much thought, I’m going to take early retirement,” said Atkinson as his voice briefly cracked while addressing the Court.
JP Steve Lee, in an immediate, soft-spoken response, stated: “God bless you.”
The matter of Atkinson’s medical issue was not delved into in great detail Monday night, with the county official only saying later in the meeting that the move to retire comes with his doctor’s recommendation.
The lifelong Columbia County resident was first elected County Judge in November 2006. He has been with the county government for more than 35 years, dating back his time in the mid-1980s as a project manager for Lake Columbia. There, Atkinson was head of land management and acquisitions leading up the construction of the man-made water source and recreation area built in 1986. He remained with the Rural Development Authority until taking office as county judge Jan. 1, 2007.
“I wish it was different, but this is what I’m going to have to do,” Atkinson added.
The Quorum Court will now be tasked with finding an interim replacement for the judge to serve out the remainder of his term. It does not expire until Dec. 31, 2022. Whoever takes over the job will not be eligible to run for office in the next county judge election but will fulfill all duties presently associated with the position. That person will be in place by the judge’s Jan. 31, 2020, retirement, according to the county.
“That way, it gets us past the year, and end-of-year,” the judge said, “I think we’ll be good.”
The process of appointing a new judge will be handled just as the matter was in May 2018 when sitting County Clerk Sherry Bell retired early from her position with six months remaining on her term. Applicants then applied for the job, were interviewed during an executive session by the Quorum Court, and were publicly voted upon by the Justices of the Peace.
“There’s a statutory procedure when a vacancy has been declared in office,” said Columbia County Attorney Becky Jones.
The judge’s vacancy will be declared by a resolution at the next scheduled Columbia County Quorum Court meeting tentatively set for Jan. 6, 2020, then the applicants will be interviewed one-by-one behind closed doors and voted upon. Another resolution will then need to be approved filling the county judge opening before Atkinson’s term ends.
The questions for all applicants are required to be the same and will be drafted by the justices of the peace. A pubic notice will be issued with more details and deadlines for any applicants for the interim position, according to the county.
After the announcement was made Monday and a few tears shed by some in the audience, outpourings of support and gratitude for the judge flowed from county officials.
“I just want to express my appreciation for what you’ve done and the number of years that been with the county,” said JP Rick Waller. “In some other cases, I don’t know that I would have got on as a JP, but through some of your guidance -- I really appreciate it.”
JP Terry Williams added: “Judge, we hope it works out.”
With all of the sentiment, the judge briefly and quietly reflected on his career with the county after starting with Lake Columbia in 1984 but remained apologetic for his sudden need to depart the county judge’s office.
“I’m sorry,” he said, to which he was greeted with a standing ovation from all in attendance Monday night.
“Now, you’re going to make me cry,” the judge added with a smile.