November 26, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
Long time assistant DCHS principal David Gash has been appointed as a judicial commissioner.
During Monday night’s monthly meeting, the county commission made the appointment upon the recommendation of the county’s judicial committee, which is made up of Sheriff Patrick Ray, County Mayor Tim Stribling, Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin, General Sessions/Juvenile Court Judge Bratten Cook, II, and Assistant District Attorney General Greg Strong.
Gash, a 30 year veteran of the school system, is retiring from his assistant principal position.
DeKalb County has three judicial commissioners. The other two, Joy Whitman and Tammy Ashburn, who have served for several years, were re-appointed by the county commission in September upon the recommendation of the judicial committee. Gash will replace Harvey Barnes who had previously served but was not recommended for re-appointment.
Each judicial commissioner is paid $1,048 per month.
Judicial commissioners are responsible for the issuance of criminal arrest warrants upon finding probable cause. They are subject to call at all hours of the day and night. Judicial commissioners serve at the pleasure of the county commission and their terms of office can be one year to four years. Judicial commissioners serve one year terms. Each of them are on call 24 hours a day for one week and then are off for two weeks.
County Mayor Tim Stribling said Monday night that the judicial committee met on November 12 and conducted interviews for the available position. In addition to Gash, Nathan Thomason and Phillip Young had applied and were interviewed. Callie Mullinax had also applied but could not make the interview.
Prior to the vote, 7th District Commissioner Bruce Malone asked if Gash had yet retired so he could perform the duties of judicial commissioner. Gash, who was in the audience, said he could fulfill his obligation.
Commissioner Malone then asked county attorney Hilton Conger if there was any statutory authority for the county to have a judicial committee to recommend judicial commissioner appointments. Malone referenced a state law (TCA 40-1-111) which addresses the General Sessions Judge’s role in making such appointments.
As Conger reviewed the statute, 4th District Commissioner Dr. Scott Little called for the question (a vote) on Gash’s appointment and all 14 commissioners voted in favor of Gash.