Decision looms for District 6

Published 10:00 pm Monday, November 10, 2008

Wednesday’s Pike County Commission meeting may have a District 6 representative, even though the election may still go to a recount.

With Republican Karen Berry leading Democrat Oren Fannin by just three votes, Probate Judge Bill Stone said a recount is likely even if provisional ballots swing the race one way.

On Wednesday afternoon, provisional ballots will be counted, and even if the margin is close enough to require a recount, the leading candidate could choose to be sworn into office prior to the afternoon’s first meeting.

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“I don’t know anything about District 6 for sure,” said County Administrator Harry Sanders.

But, the leading candidate could go ahead and take office while the recount is underway.

Berry said she isn’t sure what her next step will be if she comes out victorious in the provisional count but still has to wait for a recount.

“I’m going to wait until Wednesday to see how the provisional ballots are tallied up,” Berry said. “I wouldn’t know what to do.”

Fannin, on the other hand, said he would likely go ahead and take office.

“I’d be willing to go ahead and serve, but we don’t know how that’s going to come out,” Fannin said.

Other commissioners will have to be sworn in prior to Wednesday’s meeting.

Commissioners Ray Goodson, Charlie Harris and Homer Wright have scheduled to be sworn in at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Pike County Courthouse.

Commissioners Robin Sullivan and Jimmy Barron could not be reached immediately to determine when they would take oath.

Though Goodson, Harris and Wright are the only three Democrat incumbents, Pike County Democrat Chair Jerry Williams said them being sworn in separately is not a party affiliated event.

In their first meeting, the commission will elect a new chairman, vice chairman and set new meeting times.