over vacant position

By AMY S. LANSDON

News Editor

Nov. 22, 1999 10 PM

Advertising for the position of an emergency management director will be scratched from the Pike County Commission agenda after a motion failed with a tie vote by the commissioners.

Some of the commissioners thought the position was too important for just one person to be in charge of the hiring process, and that a search committee should be formed.

"I think a committee should be formed to hire an emergency management director," said Commiss-ioner Charlie Harris, District 5. "We need for a search committee to make sure we find the right person for the job."

Commissioner Karen Berry agreed with Harris in that the position was important enough for a committee.

"This is a very important decision," Berry said. "I think each commissioner should look over the applications or either delegate a person from their district to serve on a committee,"

Commissioners Larry Penn, District 3, and Ray Goodson, District 4, said the hiring process should be performed like the Commission has performed them in the past.

According to Steve Hicks, county administrator, the emergency management director position is currently vacant. He said the resolution to advertise for a emergency management director will remain off the agenda until one of the commissioners makes a request for the item to be replaced.

Changes were also approved to the county holiday schedule. The Pike County offices, including the courthouse, will be closed Jan. 3, 2000 instead of Dec. 31, 1999. The courthouse will be open regular hours on Dec. 31.

In other business, the Pike County Commission …

· Approved personnel issues in Pike County Road Department, Revenue Commission Office and Probate Office.

· Awarded bids for two motor graders to Thompson Tractor Company of Montgomery.

· Approved a preliminary subdivision plat for Pine Acres Subdivision.

· Approved right-of-way acquicition for Paran Church Road.

· Approved a motion to accept bids to clean and seal the total exterior of the building as part of the courthouse renovation project.

· Approved solid waste adjustments and deletions.

· Approved claims.

· Forwarded a request for electrical improvements and computer wiring for the Pike County Juvenile Probation Office.

· Forwarded the naming of roads.

· Forwarded a resolution to carpet the basement of the Pike County Courthouse.

· Reminded the county that the courthouse would close Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 24 to celebrate Thanksgiving and will reopen at its regular time, Monday, Nov. 29.