COOK COUNTY — Wednesday was a busy day for Adel Attorney Howard McClain as he was congratulated and welcomed by the Alapaha Judicial Circuit as the new superior court judge.

Gov. Sonny Perdue appointed McClain to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Brooks Blitch Tuesday after an extensive 2-month search. McClain will now preside over superior court cases throughout the Alapaha circuit, which includes the counties of Atkinson, Berrien, Clinch, Cook and Lanier.

“The residents of the Alapaha Judicial Circuit have suffered, knowingly and unknowingly, through what appears to have been gross abuses of judicial power,” Perdue said in a statement released after McClain’s appointment.

“I am troubled by the numerous federal indictments and other allegations coming from the Circuit, and I am further concerned that it took a Judicial Qualification Commission investigation and federal law enforcement efforts to out the alleged wrongdoing. Judges wield awesome power. Consequently, it is understandable that some may fear reprisal and retaliation for standing up to members of the bench. Times like these, however, highlight the duty of members of the bar and, perhaps more appropriately the judiciary, to demand that their peers on either side of the bench never betray the public’s trust.”

“In choosing Howard McClain, it was very important to me that he publicly planned to offer himself as a candidate against the incumbent judge in November,” Perdue added. “I believe this appointment is a step in the right direction for the Circuit; Mr. McClain has the trust of the community and the integrity to institute the necessary, culture-changing reforms. I am proud to appoint him as Superior Court Judge and I trust that he will exercise the judicial integrity the community deserves.”

When asked how he plans to rebuild the trust of the citizens in the Alapaha Judicial Circuit, McClain replied, “I intend to see that the business of the court is conducted according to the law. I will do that in an atmosphere that is respectable to everyone and with everyone’s efforts, we will regain the trust of those in the Circuit and the state.”

McClain stated that his main goal as judge is to conduct court as it is scheduled and see that everything is done with fairness and impartiality.

“I would like to express my appreciation for my supporters’ confidence in me,” McClain added. “I pledge to see that business is always handled properly.”

McClain currently serves as the attorney for Berrien County, Cook County Board of Education, City of Adel and the Cook County Economic Development Commission. He is also Municipal Court Judge for the cities of Alapaha, Ray City, Enigma and Sycamore.

McClain previously served on the Valdosta Technical College Board of Directors and currently sits on the board of directors for the Cook County Educational Foundation. The judge earned an associate of science degree from Middle Georgia College and a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He attended Woodrow Wilson College of Law where he received a juris doctorate.

McClain resides in Cook County with his wife, Carolyn, with whom he has three children.