JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
The Marion County Commission gave its seal of approval for the Marion County Library Board’s newly elected representatives at its recent meeting.
County Mayor David Jackson presented the list of board members and city-based representatives who were elected to serve under their appointed terms for the library board. The names mentioned for the library board include Sharon Yarbor, Linda Ingles, Bill Stewart, Sharon Case, and Henry Lodge. Commissioner Steven Franklin will serve as a county-based representative, while Kelly Nelson of South Pittsburg will represent her associated community and Rochelle Davis will represent Whitwell.
During discussion, Commissioner Donald Blansett suggested that the agenda it should be tabled until the commission’s January meeting to allow for a potential workshop meeting be held. His reasoning stems from concerns surrounding the appointment and reappointment of members from the original library board, especially those specific to a three year term.
“If you reappoint just one member, then they’re not on a three year term? Is there a three year term” questioned Blansett.
County Attorney William Gouger clarified that the board has restructured itself to not only adapt to only having South Pittsburg and Whitwell as members, but also so that those currently serving their terms alongside others newly appointed can be staggered, allowing each term to come off individually rather than parallel with one another.
“The statue gives direction on how the board is to be appointed so that not everybody comes off at the same time, or reappointed someone new at the same time,” said Gouger.
Mayor Jackson added that Wendell Sweeton of Whitwell was also originally elected to be a part of the board, but was unable to since he already served six years with the board. Meanwhile, the rest of the selected members had yet to serve the full six years, allowing them to represent the board as members under all legal terms.
“None of these selectees have served more than six years. They’re all within six years,” said Jackson.
With all clarifications made, the board agreed to approve all appointed members of Marion County’s newly structured library board, allowing for their terms to officially begin.