Carper-Strickland named Kanawha's chief magistrate

CHARLESTON -- Traci Carper-Strickland has been named Kanawha County's Chief Magistrate for 2009.

Kanawha Chief Circuit Judge James Stucky signed the order Jan. 14 appointing Carper-Strickland.

"It's exciting," Carper-Strickland said. "It's an honor to think Judge Stucky thought I could pull off the job. It's nice to know he thinks that much of me and the job I do."

Carper-Strickland said sees the position as a mediator between the Kanawha Circuit Court and the county's magistrates.

"It's not like I'm the boss," she said. "I'm just there to facilitate things when issues do come up."

Carper-Strickland first was appointed magistrate in 1999 before winning the seat in 2000. She opted not to run in 2004, but was re-appointed in 2007 when Magistrate Janie Moore retired. Carper-Strickland won the seat again in the November election.

Before her time on the magistrate bench, Carper-Strickland worked in the Kanawha County prosecutor's office. She has an associate's degree in legal assistance and an associate's degree in criminal justice from West Virginia State University.

"I'm proud of Traci, and I'm honored to work with her," fellow magistrate Kim Aaron said. "I'm honored to have her as my friend, and now I'm honored to have her serve as chief magistrate."