AMERICUS — Americus attorney Michael Greene has announced his candidacy for Sumter County Probate Judge, an office to be vacated at the end of this year by veteran judge, Judy Reeves, who is retiring.
Greene issued the following statement.
“I am the only attorney and the only person with judicial experience running to be the Judge of the Probate Court of Sumter County. Having lead The Municipal Court of Americus through its modernization, I am uniquely qualified to lead the Probate Court of Sumter County through the upcoming statewide modernization.
“I have served as Judge of The Municipal Court of Americus since 2000. As such, I have tried over 10,000 contested cases. I have the tried and tested temperament of a judge.
“I am an experienced attorney who has practiced law for 28 years in Americus. My office has been on South Lee Street since 1991. I have written thousands of wills and probated hundreds of estates. Also, I have tried hundreds of jury trials as an attorney, including criminal, estate, and land disputes.
“My family has lived in Sumter County since 1835, and we trace our roots back to William D. McKay, the first City marshal of Americus. I am an Eagle Scout from Americus as are both of my sons: Nathan Greene and Emory Greene. I have been married since 1981 to Kathy Phillips Greene, who is a real estate agent with Johnston Realty Group of Americus. We attend Central Baptist Church where I am an ordained deacon.
“My law degree (jurist doctorate) is from Georgia State University School. I hold a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Georgia, and a bachelor’s degree (in business administration) from Georgia Southwestern State University.
“I currently serve on the boards of the South Georgia Council, BSA and the Georgia Southwestern State University Foundation. In the past, I have served on a number of boards, including Chehaw Council, BSA; The Georgia Municipal Judge’s Council; and, Hospice of Americus.
“Why no yard signs?  While technically acceptable, as a sitting judge, I must ‘avoid even the appearance of impropriety.’ Therefore, I have declined all of the many offers to place signs in private yards. I will be placing large signs in commercial locations in the next few weeks. For the same reason, I am not accepting any campaign contributions.”