On Friday, friends, family and government officials gathered at the Chattooga County Courthouse Annex to dedicate the building in memory of former Chattooga County Probate Judge Jon Payne.

Judge Payne was the first Probate Judge in Chattooga County.  When he was first elected to office in the mid-1970’s, the position was called the “Ordinary Judge”.  Through the years, Judge Payne’s popularity with the citizens of Chattooga County continued to grow.  After his initial election, Judge Payne only faced opposition one time in nearly fifty years.

The Judge Jon M. Payne Government Annex houses the Chattooga County Magistrate Court, the Tax Assessor and the Tax Commissioner’s offices.

WZQZ News spoke with Chattooga County Tax Commissioner about the building being renamed in Judge Payne’s honor.  Hampton said, “I am honored to work in the building named for our friend and Judge.  Jon serve dour county just short of a half-century, and he will always be remembered for the way he treated people. He was everybody’s friend, and I think it is a wonderful way to honor his legacy.”