Wednesday, July 30, 2003

I read the letter to the editor that appeared in your paper recently from a reader who suggested that [Fayette Superior Court] Judge [Tommy] Hankinson's appearance in the Peachtree City Fourth of July Parade with the Republican elephant was an attempt to deceive.

It is obvious that the gentleman who wrote the letter does not know Judge Hankinson. It has been my privilege to know Judge Hankinson virtually all of his life. It is not in Judge Hankinson's nature to deceive anyone. I personally know that he is a conservative in both his economic and social philosophy, and has strongly supported a long list of Republicans through the years.

The simple truth is that Gov. Barnes appointed Judge Hankinson because he has known Tommy since they were in law school, and Gov. Barnes knew that Tommy not only is an excellent student of the law, but possesses the character and dignity that is so important in serving the people as a judge.

Ronald Barfield

Thomaston, Ga.