After more than 15 years serving as Newton County Justice Court Judge, Mark McDonald announced he will step down at the end of the year and embrace retirement.
McDonald, who joined the court in 2002, said he felt it was time to turn the position over to someone else.
“I’ve been doing it 15 years. I’m 68-years old,” he said. “It’s time to pass it on to someone else, time to pass the mantle on, as the saying goes.”
However, he said it has been an honor to serve Newton County for as long as he has.
“Probably the worst part of it, just to put the worst before the best, is probably people you’ve known all your life coming before you,” he said. “Part of you wants to say, ‘just go on,’ but you’re also aware of the officer out there risking his life.”
But for the most part, he added, the past 15-years as Justice Court Judge have been “great.”
Prior to running for Justice Court Judge, McDonald served for over 28 years in law enforcement, including two years at the Newton County Sheriff’s Department, two years as a drug investigator for Mississippi Regional Housing Authority and three years as Decatur Chief of Police.
Having served in law enforcement helped aid the transition to the bench and provided insight into some of the cases, he said.
However, McDonald said, having a law enforcement background isn’t necessary for the job.
“You know Scott, Judge Round, he’d doing a fantastic job,” he said. “I tell you he’s a great guy. His mind’s quick and he learns fast.”
The most important aspect of the job, McDonald said, is the desire to “try to treat everyone fair.” Throughout his tenure, he said his first and foremost goal has been to view each case objectively, see both sides of the issue and make a ruling that follows the law but isn’t excessive.
“I think I’ve done a pretty good job,” he said. “I’m going to say this with no apologies: Newton County is still a good county.”
Once his retirement becomes official Dec. 31, McDonald said it will be up to the Newton County Board of Supervisors will appoint someone to fill his seat until the general election can be held. As longtime servant of the county, he said that was one of the conditions of his retirement. Organizing a special election is expensive, he said, and he did not want his decision to have a negative impact on Newton County. With the general election over a year away, he said, there will be no need for the county to take on an additional cost.
“That is one of the things I checked on,” he said. “I wouldn’t have done it if it cost the county money.”
Of course, McDonald said, his seat will be up for election in 2019 anyway, and he is expecting plenty of candidates.
“There’s probably going to be eight or nine on the ballot, I expect,” he said. “It’s a $40,000 a year job.”
However, he said, being a Justice Court Judge isn’t for everyone. Although it may seem like a high stress job, he said it’s the down time that can get to someone.
“The state still classifies it as a part time job,” he said. “If you’re somebody who’s used to running, running, running and all that stuff, you might not be able to handle it.”
Justice Court Judge is a good position to slow down and take the time to do it right, McDonald said. Although it’s not a high pace job, he said, it is an important service to the county.
“Just treat everyone the same and you’ll do fine,” he said.
In his retirement, McDonald said he plans to continue serving as pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Newton, raising cattle, hunting and fishing and spending time with his grandchildren. He said he is already looking forward to participating in Vacation Bible School in the summer.
McDonald said he wanted to thank the residents of Newton County for allowing him to serve them in so many different positions throughout his life. He said it has been a source of pride for him and his family to serve as Justice Court judge, and he hopes residents will show the same hospitality to his successor.
A retirement party for Judge McDonald will be held 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13 at the Newton County Courthouse for those wanting to wish him well.
