Slatton won’t seek eighth trustee term

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

SLATTON

Saying it is time to retire, longtime County Trustee Joy Slatton has announced she will not seek an eighth term in the job she has held since 1978.

“I’ll be 65 next May so I feel it’s time to step aside,” Slatton said of her decision. “I’ve really enjoyed working here and I’m really going to miss the people.”

Slatton’s announcement comes as the political races are gearing up for elections next year in which most local offices will be up for grabs. The early announcement, Slatton noted, will give time for potential candidates who want to succeed her to plan a campaign.

While announcing intentions of retirement, she will actually not leave office until her term is fulfilled on Aug. 31, 2006. The primaries for her office will be held next May and the general election in early August.

Filing deadline will fall in February to seek the office, and qualifying petitions will be available in November. Two candidates have already announced intentions to run including Darlene Bryant who ran against Slatton last election and trustee employee Donna Pelham.

“I’m sure there will be several come out for it,” Slatton said.

It was during Slatton’s administration the trustee’s office moved from the courthouse to the county administrative building on Locust Street. The Trustee of the county is basically the county’s bank and tax collector.

“The courthouse will always be my home because that’s where I cut my teeth so to speak,” Slatton said, noting she worked for what is now the county executive’s office for 11 years prior to being elected trustee. “But it’s been nice in our new office too, the interaction with the other officials here. We’re like one big family.”