Some Good News Fulton Project

The Magistrate Court of Fulton County is highlighting our Judges and community members by asking them to share pictures and/or short videos during the COVID-19 pandemic of how they are getting creative with social distancing, volunteering or simple small acts of kindness!
Please take a moment and share with us a picture or short video with a small description about how you are getting creative and #SomeGoodNewsFulton so we can highlight the great work everyone is doing in Fulton County! You can submit your entry to mary.shimell@fultoncountyga.gov.

Brooke Lane, Litigation Manager, Misdemeanor Mental Health Court: brooke puzzle 2“My family and I wanted to figure out creative ways to remain occupied while we self-quarantine. We decided to work on a 1,000 piece puzzle for an hour each day. Working on the puzzle has been oddly satisfying. We also have painted bird houses and started a small garden. Not only have these activities helped with filling our free time with something productive, but we’ve also had the opportunity to enjoy quality time as a family.” 

Todd Ashley, Magistrate Judge: “We are thankful that Governor Kemp’s order permits judge ashley 1outdoor activities for those living in the same household as my wife and daughter and I were able to enjoy a day at the family home on Lake Lanier. The sun was out, the food was excellent, and a great time was had by all. Now...I’m back to work as the Fulton County Magistrate Court, as it has during the entirety of the judicial emergency, continues to serve the public via its approved operations. We urge all Georgians to follow the advice of the medical and public health professionals to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Best to everyone, Judge Todd Ashley and family."

Robbin Shipp, Magistrate Judge: judge shipp 2“I felt fortunate to be of good health and reasonable cheer after several weeks of self-quarantine and isolation such that I really wanted to give back. Having been made aware of the ongoing efforts to ensure that Atlanta Public School students were receiving nutritious meals, and indeed, eating at all, via the media and friends/colleagues, I volunteered several days last week at Frederick Douglas High School which served as a hub for breakfast and lunch distribution as well as bags of produce through distribution at Bus stops and drive up at Frederick Douglas. Often sharing laughter and smiles, encouragement and prayer, I was allowed a glimpse into Atlantan’s lives living through the coronavirus pandemic. It was a heartwarming-seeing the gratitude-and sometimes heartbreaking-seeing the need-experience, working with the indomitable "LaPink", other volunteers, including Sebastian from Governor Kemp’s budget office and a Frederick Douglas alum and employees of APS as we distributed food curbside to families of APS students.”

judge chung 3Hannah Chung, Magistrate Judge: “No gym? Miss seeing your friends? No problem - Fulton Magistrate Judge Hannah Chung demonstrates how to maintain a safe, social distance with her neighbors while making sure their bodies and minds stay sharp! Judge Chung lives in northwest Atlanta and she encourages ALL Fulton citizens to stay healthy and strong."

Adaiba Nwasike, Former Magistrate Court Intern:Adaiba Intern "My name is Adaiba Nwasike and I am a graduating senior of Hillgrove High School and a rising freshman at Georgia Tech! Last summer I interned for the Fulton County Magistrate court with Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk through the Atlanta Bar Association. I had the most amazing experience learning about the legal field and because of the college guidance I received from Judge Kirk after the internship was over, I was given admission to Brown, Cornell, Duke, and other top universities. Ultimately, I was awarded a full tuition scholarship from Tech and will be pursuing a degree in Public Policy."

Robert Wolf, Magistrate Judge: "For me, the Passover celebration represents the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, as well as the fight for freedom today for all those oppressed throughout the world. It is an image of struggle, hope and redemption.IMG_8884

The Passover Seder is a religious service, held in one’s home with extended family, a tradition followed by Jews for thousands of years and my family for my entire life. I knew this year’s seder would be different because Covid 19 would not allow extended family to attend. The resulting seder was a bittersweet, memorable blessing for my wife, son, and me.

I am sharing two photos and one video with you, our Fulton County community, through #SomeGoodNewsFulton. The photos and video share a message of struggle, hope, and redemption with you.

The first photo shows our traditional seder plate: the lamb shankbone, green vegetable, sweet charoset, bitter maror, and egg. The only bone we could use was a dog treat!IMG_8892

The second photo shows my son celebrating the breaking of the matzah for the afikomen. Usually, all of the kids scour the house for the hidden afikomen. Whoever finds it first wins a special prize. Even though it was just my son, we celebrated the magic of this timeless tradition.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share some good news with our Fulton County community. Stay safe and stay home! Most of all, thank you to those on the front lines protecting us through this difficult time!"