Marion County welcomes new magistrate

During a ceremony at the Marion County Technical Education Center, a host of friends and family members, along with the Marion County Legislative Delegation, showed their support for the appointment of Carolyn Donnelly-Gause as Marion County’s new Magistrate Judge.

“We feel very honored and privileged to have her represent us in a very important position,” Sen. Kent Williams said. Williams said the position requires a person with compassion and fairness. Gause, a longtime educator in Mullins and Lakeview since 1967, has served on Mullins City Council and Marion School District 2 Board of Trustees.

Williams said the part-time position falls under the court administration. In South Carolina, the Governor appoints a county’s magistrate judges to four-year terms, upon nomination from the senate. Magistrates preside over cases that include search and arrest warrants hearings and bond hearings.

“She had no idea we were considering her,” he said.

After the invocation from the Rev. Curtis Campbell, Marion School District 2 Superintendent Nathaniel Miller and Rep. Jim Battle gave remarks. Battle said Gause has everything that it takes to be a good judge. “This is truly a celebration because not only do we celebrate an individual receiving the honor she so richly deserves, but we also celebrate the fact that the people of Marion County are receiving the sort of fair minded, perceptive and dedicated judge that we deserve,” he said.
“I know she brings a wealth of experience to the bench,” Miller said, adding that the job requires individuals with complete control of themselves to serve others.

Gause was sworn-in by Marion County Clerk of Court Sherry Rhodes and Gause’s husband, Richard, held the bible while she took her oath. “I promise to serve in this office with all the dignity and respect I can find. I promise to be fair with all the people and not let personal things but do what the law says,” Judge Gause said, adding that she is excited to get to work and is already getting geared up to give it her best.

“She brings the right qualities to serve,” Williams said, adding that her part-time position is one of three. Judge Lunette Cox and Judge Darrell Burns hold full-time magistrate roles in the county. Gause replaces Regina Bristow.