Nicholas County gets new magistrate

SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. – Nicholas County Magistrate Robert Gordon, Jr., announced his retirement today, September 1, 2009. His retirement will be effective October 16.

Magistrate Gordon, 61, of Craigsville, is one of three magistrates in Nicholas County, and he has served as a magistrate since July 1, 1997. He most recently was re-elected in November 2008.

Twenty-Eighth Judicial Circuit Judge Gary Johnson today appointed Nicholas County Chief Deputy D. Wayne Plummer, 49, of Craigsville, to fill the vacant magistrate seat. Deputy Plummer has never before sought or held elected office. He will begin work in his new job on October 19.

Deputy Plummer has worked for the Nicholas County Sheriff’s Department for 25 years and previously worked for the Summersville Police Department for six years.

"In evaluating his experience, I believe Deputy Plummer has the intelligence, skills, and sense of fairness and impartiality that will make him an excellent magistrate," Judge Johnson said. "Over the years, I have observed that as a policeman he has exhibited fairness and has been an effective servant of the county for more than two decades."

Deputy Plummer said, "I have spent my professional life in Nicholas County. I am committed to its citizens. I would like to thank Judge Johnson for the appointment and for his confidence in me. I look forward to serving the citizens of Nicholas County in the capacity of magistrate, and I pledge to conduct the office with the honesty and integrity the citizens deserve."