Jason Winters
When Chatooga County, Ga., Sole Commissioner Jason Winters proposed to cut expenses last year by furloughing county employees, Chief Magistrate Tracy Maddux declined to have his employees participate.
“He asked us to take furloughs, and we said ‘no,'” said Maddux, who has two full-time workers besides himself to handle such cases as minor criminal offenses, civil claims of $15,000 or less, and county ordinance violations.
Now, Commissioner Winters is asking for all county employees to take five unpaid holidays, and Maddux’ answer is the same: No.
“I won’t be furloughing my people at all,” Maddux said.
The impasse illustrates a quirk in Georgia government.