Warren Countys three new magistrates went back to school Monday and Tuesday. Judge-Executive Mike Buch-anon guided Cedric Burnam of District 2, Eddie Beck of District 3 and Terry Young of District 4 on a learning tour of more than a dozen county offices. To many citizens, county government means paving rural roads and not much else, Buchanon said. But when he became judge-executive, he quickly learned that the county has huge responsibilities in many areas: law enforcement and criminal justice, public health, planning, parks, business and record-keeping, to name a few. With half the fiscal court new to the job, Buchanon knew they needed a crash course before theyre sworn in Dec. 31 if only to give them a name, a face, someone to ask for information at various offices, he said. The new magistrates started at 8 a.m. Monday, touring the three new county parks, then moved on to the road department and other offices, ending at the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. They were back Tuesday morning at the Warren County Justice Center for a tour conducted by Court Administrator Jim Gildersleeve, then on to the sheriffs department. Burnam was called back to Burnam and Sons Mortuary, which he owns, and the others continued without him. Buchanon promised to bring Burnam back later to the offices he missed. Im getting enlightened that Warren County is a big county, Young said after touring Property Valuation Administrator Bill Carters office. Theres a lot going on here. Carter introduced them around to his employees, describing his offices function, and proudly pointed out certificates of training over his employees desks. Then it was on to County Treasurer Jerry Pearsons office where they filled out insurance forms. Magistrates earn $25,628 per year, plus a $3,600 expense allowance. Tommy Loving, director of the Drug Task Force, gave them coffee cups. The biggest problem weve got right now is these damn meth labs, Loving told them. Officers uncovered none in 1998, three in 1999, 14 in 2000, 36 in 2001 and 61 in 2002.Over a box lunch at the City-County Planning Commission of Warren County, Director Andy Gillies held up three thick binders: the county comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations, offering magistrates copies if they wanted them. He warned them that theyd soon be fielding calls from constituents angry at the planning commission, and urged them to get both sides of the story by calling him or his staff anytime. Then it was on to the Barren River District Health Department and the Primary Care Center for lessons in how much the county does to promote public health. The day ended with a driving tour of the site for the proposed Kentucky TriModal Transpark. But its not over; Buchanon will schedule three half-days of further training for new magistrates in January, he said, taking them to the library, 911 dispatch center, airport and T.C. Cherry pool. Theyll also get several state training courses each year, but Buchanon wanted them to start early. Its a shame to have to wait a year to learn about the health department, he said.