Absent officials result in close county vote

MIKE WEST
Courier Editor

Absence of two Commissioners made for some tight votes at the Cannon County Commission meeting Oct. 17 with County Executive Mike Gannon retaining his seat as chairman.

Voting for Gannon were Commissioners Mark Barker, Karen Ashford, Glenn Steakley, Richie Hunter and Adam Melton. Voting against were Commissioners Russell Reed, Jim Bush and Brent Bush.

Absent from the meeting were Commissioners Todd Hollandsworth and Jamie Holloway.
However, Chairman Pro-Tem Mark Barker lost his post to Brent Bush following a tie-vote.

Voting for Gannon were Commissioners Mark Barker, Karen Ashford, Richie Hunter and Adam Melton. Voting against were Commissioners Russell Reed, Glenn Steakley, Jim Bush and Brent Bush.

Following the four-four tie vote, Barker switched his vote to Bush, giving him the chairman pro-tem post.
The narrow voting margin also caused trouble when it came to filling two empty seats on the county Audit Committee.
Nominated for the Audit Committee were Sue Conley, administrator at Saint Thomas-Stones River Hospital, and Jamie Holloway, County Commissioner. Five Commissioners voted yes, but voting no were Reed, Jim Bush and Brent Bush.

"We need six votes," explained County Exec Gannon. "We will bring it up again in November."

The Commission did vote in favor of adding Sean Harwood to the Industrial Development Board to replace Mindy Gunter. Voting no was Commissioner Reed.

Once those issues were out of the way, Commissioners voted to approve a one-year $15,500 note for the Ambulance Service. Much of the funds will be used to purchase new digital radio equipment for the ambulances and headquarters. Other portions will be used for a IV heater for one ambulance and narcotic boxes for two units, said Charles Nokes of the Cannon County Emergency Medical Service.

Commissioner Melton moved for adoption of the note. Ashford seconded. The vote was unanimous.

A unanimous vote followed on a resolution to provide up to $75,000 to replace a 1988 truck used by the Cannon County Rescue Squad. The squad will be responsible for the remaining $45,000 and for equipping the truck.

The Commission also voted unanimously in favor of the purchase of three, 1995 model fire trucks replacing the last 1970 model trucks. The fire engines will cost $125,000 with $25,000 up front. Funding will come from the county's $3 million debt service.

In other business, the Commission approved Mary Shannon Grandey, Douglas Jennings, Shannon C. Bacon and Rebecca Alexander as notaries.