Dear Fannin County Voters:Please allow me to introduce myself to you as a candidate for the office of the Judge of the Probate Court. I am Melissa Winstead Barnett and believe that I meet the qualifications and ask that you consider giving your vote to a candidate that will serve the county and its citizens well.

I have over twenty-five (25) years of clerical, managerial, customer service and a history of working here in the Appalachian Judicial Circuit in both the civil and criminal courts for over eight (8) years. I began my clerical experiences when I was only thirteen (13) was assisted my mother in organizing court transcripts that she transcribed. And have worked as office manager for two family businesses, my own retail store and the manager of an antique store downtown Blue Ridge. I have knowledge of most office machines, including the out dated mimeograph and typewriter. I have years of 10 key touch, fax machines, email accounts, ebay accounts and assisted in the development of a database to cut costs of office management.

I began my secondary education at Young Harris College and finished at the Atlanta Paralegal Institute of John Marshall Law School by graduating at the top of my class. Immediately upon graduation I began my paralegal career with a law firm in Dekalb County. I have since worked for various law firms here in Blue Ridge and downtown Atlanta.

I feel with my experiences both as employer and employee I have gained the knowledge and the art of customer service.

Some of my accomplishments are: self taught basket weaver, instructor for 10 years in the art community, including BRMAA and the John C Campbell Folk School, 16 years as substitute teacher, 25 years office experience, 8 years as litigation paralegal, 2 years as a Cobb County Deputy Registrar,-+ Notary Public since 1989, my travels to 23 states, touching the Liberty Bell, published poet and extremely proud and blessed Mother of 3 boys, Trey, Joey and Billy.

If elected I will administer the daily duties of Probate Judge to the best of my ability. I will organize and run the office of Probate Judge in a most efficient manner. I have always loved the history of the laws that have been produced and have always known that I wanted a career in the legal field. I feel that I have come full circle in my career in the legal field. The acting Probate Judge in 1988 actually wrote my letter of recommendation for my entering John Marshall Law School to get my paralegal training and I would be honored to be a part of this office.

Please consider voting for me based on the knowledge that I am capable of managing my time and energy to accomplish what would be an efficient, well organized and confidentially run probate office. I will strive to get the job or situation handled in the best interest of all parties in a professional manner.

Thanks for your consideration and hopefully your vote.

Melissa Winstead-Barnett