The county commissioners Monday night during their regular monthly meeting selected Rick Cantrell to fill the unexpired term of John Green as a member in the fifth district.
Seven votes were needed to get the appointment. Cantrell received eight votes.
County Commissioners voting for Cantrell were Jimmy Poss, Larry Summers, Marshall Ferrell, Wayne Cantrell, Bradley Hendrix, Bobby Joines, Elmer Ellis, Jr., and Mason Carter.
Cantrell was among four applicants for the position. The others were Steven Cantrell, Eugene LaFever, and James Young. All were interviewed by the county commission during an All-Committees meeting Thursday night at the courthouse.
Two members of the commission, Jeff Barnes and Jerry Adcock voted for James Young Monday night.
Commissioners Jerry Scott and Jack Barton voted for Eugene LaFever.
Cantrell, born and raised in the fifth district, has served on the DeKalb County Regional Planning Commission since 1995. “I have lived in DeKalb County all my life. I went to school here. I have worked for BFN Operations for thirty eight years, formerly Knowles & Sons Nursery. It’s in the fifth district. I am one of the managers there,” said Cantrell during his interview Thursday night.
“One thing I’d like to throw out there is that I have no vendetta. I am just here to work with you all for the whole county,” continued Cantrell during the interview. “I have no personal gains or reasons whatsoever involved here. If I feel like I am correct (on an issue) and it’s the right thing to do, that’s the way I’ll vote,” he said
When asked if he would run for the office in the next election during the interview, Cantrell replied “That’s a possibility. If the people of the 5th district ask me to, I would. I will address that when the time comes,” he said.
County Mayor Mike Foster announced Monday night that Cantrell will be sworn into office September 1. Green’s term expires August 31, 2014.
Green resigned from the county commission in April announcing that he had moved his residence to White County. He had served on the county commission for eleven years, having first been elected in 2002. He was then re-elected in 2006 and 2010.
At the beginning of Monday night’s meeting, County Mayor Foster recognized Green and on behalf of the county commission, presented him a plaque for his years of service to his district and the county.
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