Cannon County has two new government officials following Saturday’s meeting of the Cannon County Board of Commissioners. Members met in regular session at the Cannon County Courthouse with all 9 of the then-sitting Commissioners present.After taking roll and approving the minutes of their last meeting, Commissioners undertook the task of finding someone to replace Fifth District Commissioner Brad Hall who resigned late last year because he moved out of his district. Once the floor was opened for nominations, Fifth District Commissioner Bob Stoetzel nominated Woodbury Police Officer Kevin Mooneyham to fill the post until the August 5th election. According to Stoetzel, “Kevin is the best choice. He intends to run and he came in third during the 2006 election.” Nominations ceased and Mooneyham’s nomination was unanimously approved by Commissioners. Immediately after the vote, Mooneyham was sworn-in by County Court Clerk Bobby Smith.
With its new member at the table, Members began to work their way through the lengthy agenda. Members took aim at proposed County General Fund budget amendments and refused to approve several of them. One item of significant controversy was a request by Cannon County Election Administrator Stanley Dodson to move $660.00 from the election workers line item and give it to his assistant. This was an attempt by Dodson to get back the money which was removed from the secretary’s line item by Commissioners during budget hearings last year. Commissioners told Dodson during those hearings that they were cutting the pay of his assistant because she was new and had not yet earned the part-time salary which was being paid to the former assistant. Dodson was appointed after long-time Election Administrator Mary Lynn Bush was fired by the three new members of the election commission and, after his appointment, the former assistant left.
It was also brought to the commission’s attention that Dodson has refused to sign the state mandated salary agreement which must be executed following passage of the budget. Cannon County’s budget was passed in July of 2009. Dodson was told that, if he didn’t sign the document, it could open the county up to adverse audit findings. After hearing that, Election Commission Chairman Lindberg Dennis said the agreement would be signed after the meeting. First District Commissioner Mark Barker told Dodson that it was not the commission’s policy to raise salaries in the middle of a budget year and that this issue was more appropriate for a budget hearing.
Members also questioned some budget amendments for the REACH program. Since Angela King, REACH Director, was not present to answer them, members refused to pass the amendments. After all their discussions, Commissioners unanimously passed budget amendments with the exception of the increase in salary for the election worker and the REACH amendments.
After budget amendments, Members took to appointing an interim Circuit Court Clerk. Long-time Clerk Robert H. Davenport’s retirement was effective yesterday. County Executive Mike Gannon told Commissioners that three people had expressed interest in the position and they were, Larry Sanders, who had sought election to the office two times prior, local business owner Vickie Harris and current Chief Deputy Circuit Court Clerk Lynne Foster. Fifth District Commissioner Bob Stoetzel nominated Foster and, following the nomination, Fourth District Commissioner Rebekah Parton began interviewing Foster and Sanders. Some Commissioners questioned why Parton was interviewing a candidate who hadn’t even been nominated for the office, but she continued her questioning. After Parton’s interviews were over, nominations ceased with Foster being the only person nominated. Members unanimously voted to appoint Foster to the position and she was sworn-in by County Court Clerk Bobby Smith immediately.
In a post-meeting interview, Foster said she thanks Commissioners for their faith in her and that she will continue the office’s 32 year-long tradition of excellent public service and dedication to the people of Cannon County.
In other business before the commission:
Members voted 6 to 4 against appointing an interim Constable for the second district. Second District Commissioner Todd Hollandsworth nominated Tom Ganoe for the position. Hollandsworth said that Ganoe would be mainly serving civil process for Cannon County SAVE, a local domestic violence program. After lengthy discussion, Some commissioners expressed concern over the fact that Ganoe would be serving papers and being paid for that, which would mean that the Sheriff’s Department would not be paid for that same service, which will cost the county deposits to the general fund. When the vote was taken, Ganoe’s nomination was voted down with Nathan Nichols, Karen Ashford, Greg Mitchell, Joe Wimberly, Kevin Mooneyham and Bob Stoetzel voting against and Mark Barker, Todd Hollandsworth, Kevin George and Rebekah Parton voting for. Those voting no said that it would be best to allow second district voters to fill the position in August.
Members approved a $2,000.00 donation to Cannon County SAVE, a domestic violence program;
Members approved Sheriff’s Department and Drug Fund budget amendments;
Members appointed notaries;
Members approved the 2010-2011 Cannon County Road Map;
Members named a bridge on Hill Creek Road the “Claude Mayo Memorial Bridge”;
