Brock picked to chair commission

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

County Clerk David Smartt administers the oath of office to incoming County Executive Kenneth Rogers, who was one of many county officials to begin their terms in office last week. (Duane Sherrill photo)

The Warren County Commission, including 11 new members, met for the first time Thursday night to elect a chairman and to set committees. Newly elected County Executive, Kenneth Rogers, announced early on he would not act as commission chairman, which left the seat open and resulted in the specially called meeting to formally vote on a chair prior to commission’s first official meeting later this month.

The commission’s most senior member, Carl Hulett, presided while the commission moved through the nomination process. Immediately after calling the meeting to order and running through the roll call, which showed all 24 members present, Hulett addressed the commission.

“Now I guess we’ll take nominations for chairman,” Hulett said.

Gary Prater then nominated Commissioner Sally Brock and that nomination was seconded by George Smartt.

There were no other nominations and Smartt made a motion that nominations cease and was seconded by Bill Zechman.

Hulett then asked for a roll-call vote during which one commissioner passed. The result of the vote was duly recorded by County Court Clerk David Smartt.

“There were 23 yes and one pass,” Smartt announced.

“Would you like to change your vote, ma’am, and make it unanimous?” he then asked Brock, who was the only abstainee.

“No!” said Brock, amid general laughter.

Hulett then stepped down as chairman, but not before commenting, “I guess that’s the shortest term that’s ever been served,” which generated another round of laughter.

Brock then took the chair amid applause from commissioners and the audience.

“Thank you all ? I think,” said a rather tongue-in-cheek Brock as she took the chair.

The new commission chairman then moved on to the only other item on the docket – the choice of who would chair and serve on the various committees.

There were two lists before commissioners for their consideration. One was prepared by a group of commissioners during a secret meeting held without notifying the media. The other list was prepared by Rogers.

After some heated debate over changes in the committee rosters drawn up by the commissioners themselves, the commissioners voted on that list. That vote ended up in a 12-12 deadlock and thus failed. The committee list prepared by Rogers was then put to a vote and passed 17-7.

Commissioners then discussed their first official meeting for later in the month, which is generally on a Monday. Since several commissioners had conflicts with a meeting on Monday, Sept. 23, they agreed to hold that meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 24 to accommodate those with conflicts.

At Brock’s suggestion, they also agreed to begin the meetings at 6:30 p.m., rather than 7 p.m. as had been the procedure previously.