Spartanburg football coach becomes a part-time county magistrate

Published: Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 9:06 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 9:06 p.m.

A well-known Spartanburg football coach is taking on a new role as a part-time county magistrate.

Spartanburg County Legislative Delegation senators appointed Freddie Brown, best known for coaching at Woodruff and Spartanburg high schools, to replace retired magistrate James Talley last month.

Spartanburg delegation senators also appointed contractor Ben Johnson and retired S.C. Highway Patrol trooper John Joseph Kesler to new part-time magistrate positions.

Brown is in a two-week magisterial training session and said he was not yet permitted by court rules to speak to the media. Brown is listed on the Byrnes High School website as the running backs coach.

Sen. Glenn Reese, D-Boiling Springs, said Spartanburg senators fielded about six finalists to fill the position, which came open after Talley turned 72. State law requires magistrates to retire in the same year that they turn 72.

Reese said Brown approached local lawmakers about the position and the six finalists took two tests before Spartanburg delegation senators decided on Brown.

"They were all outstanding candidates, but out of all, Freddie was the one person that we agreed would be best suited for the position," Reese said. "He has a great personality, he's people-oriented and we thought Coach Brown was the best fit."

Brown will work during the weekends, some holidays and filling in when other magistrates are absent, Reese said. He will work from the Spartanburg County Detention Center.

Sen. Lee Bright, R-Spartanburg, said he agreed with Brown's appointment, but called the magisterial appointment process "flawed."

"I'm not a big fan of the process," Bright said. "I'd rather see the governor make the appointments."

Bright said people apply for magistrate positions frequently, although they rarely come available. When a position is open, Bright said senators ask for those who have expressed interest to apply and then take a personnel and critical thinking test.

All candidates must have a four-year college degree and must pass a criminal background check.

Bright said he has previously introduced two bills to change the magistrate appointment process, one which would give appointment power to the governor and the other to circuit court judges, but the system is likely to remain unchanged since senators don't want to give up power. Both of those bills failed, Bright said.

"The problem is the House of Representatives appoint circuit court judges since there are 124 of them," Bright said. "There are just 46 senators, so our power is diluted."

The part-time magistrates are scheduled to work 16 hours per week (32 hours per pay period), for $32,756 annually with an hourly rate of $39.37, according to Spartanburg County records.

Source: http://www.goupstate.com/article/20130727/articles/130729733

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