Columbus native Scott Colom has been appointed municipal judge by the Aberdeen Board of Aldermen on a 4-1 vote. Ward 1 Alderman Alonzo Sykes voted against the appointment.
Colom, a partner with the Colom Law Firm, replaces Adrian Haynes. Haynes, who also serves as an elected justice court judge for Monroe County, was arrested for simple assault in 2010 after engaging in an altercation with a deputy clerk at Aberdeen City Hall.
“I’m so excited about the opportunity to represent the people of Aberdeen as city judge,” Colom said. “When former Columbus city council member, Barbara Brandon, told me the city council was considering appointing a new judge, I was excited to apply for the position. Being a city judge gives me the opportunity to interact with citizens, work with the city police, and help administer justice in Aberdeen. After the appointment, all the mayor and the city council asked of me was to treat everyone fairly and equally, and that’s all I promised to do.”
Aberdeen City Clerk Jackie Benson said Colom’s salary is about $17,000 a year as he presides over court, which meets once a week.
Colom is a 2001 graduate of Columbus High school. He received a Bachelor of Arts in English and History from Millsaps College in 2005 and he is a 2009 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. He is also an interim Justice Court Judge for Lowndes County.
Jeff Clark was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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