Chattanooga attorney Jerry Summers named Soddy-Daisy judge

photo Jerry Summers

Chattanooga attorney Jerry Summers, who served as Soddy-Daisy's first municipal judge, was appointed as interim judge by Soddy-Daisy commissioners this week.

He is filling in for David Norton, who is serving an interim position as a Hamilton County General Sessions Court judge.

Summers said he has more than 30 years of experience in the courts system.

Summers' experience and knowledge were a major reason for his appointment, City Commissioner Shane Harmon said. Summers also agreed not to run for the position in the Aug. 2 election, Harmon said.

"We didn't want to give a candidate an unfair advantage, or even disadvantage," he said.

Summers said he was fired as Soddy-Daisy municipal judge in the early 1980s for not being very "malleable."

"I don't have any hard feelings; bygones are bygones," he said. "I still have the support of Soddy-Daisy."

When Summers served as municipal judge, the position was appointed by city commissioners, but that changed to elections after he was fired, he said. Commissioners appoint now only to fill interim positions.

"That took the politics out of the judicial system," Summers said.

While serving, Summers looks to "follow the law, do what he thinks a judge is supposed to do, and merit the individuals' background," he said.

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