New Lee County magistrate was longtime teacher

BRIGHT-AUSTIN

By RANDY BURNS
Item Staff Writer
rburns@theitem.com

BISHOPVILLE - Retired teacher Deborah Bright-Austin will serve as Lee County’s newest magistrate.

Bright-Austin, 54, has been confirmed by the S.C. Senate to fill a vacancy, Lee County Chief Magistrate A.W. Woodham said. He and the county’s other full-time magistrate, Carolyn Jackson, are scheduled to retire in a few months, Woodham said.

Lee County also has four part-time magistrates. Magistrates are county employees but must be confirmed by the state Senate, Woodham said.

Bright-Austin is scheduled to begin two weeks of training July 20.

In a June 18 letter, Gov. Mark Sanford told Bright-Austin she had been confirmed.

“I am confident that you will render exceptional service,” Sanford wrote. “I look forward to working with you during this administration and hope you will let me know if I can ever be of help to you in any way.”

Bright-Austin taught for 33 years, most recently at Hartsville High School. She lives in Bishopville and is a member of St. Mark Baptist Church.

“I’m humbled by this and excited to get a chance to serve the people of Lee County,” she said. “I’ve always been fascinated with the court system. And it’s like my sister told me the other day: When you talk something up, you better watch out.”

She credited Woodham for his guidance and support.

“He’s letting me sit in and watch him,” she said. “I’ve been very impressed by Judge Woodham. He’s been a lot of help, and I plan on calling on him even after he has retired.”

Lee County Auditor Cecil Stevens said Bright-Austin is “a well-informed individual” and “real eloquent.”

“She will be an unbiased individual when it comes to doing her job,” he said.

Bright-Austin was recommended to the governor by state Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Hartsville.



Contact Staff Writer Randy Burns at rburns@theitem.com or (803) 491-4533.