The county commission can’t decide on who should take Bruce Parsley’s place on the school board in the sixth district.
Two persons, Boyd Trapp and Doug Stephens, want the position but the county commission was deadlocked six to six Monday night on which of the two should get the seat.
County commissioners voting for Trapp were Elmer Ellis, Jr from the first district, Bobby Joines from the second district, Jerry Scott from the third district, Jeff Barnes and Marshall Ferrell from the sixth district, and Jimmy Poss from the seventh district.
Those voting for Stephens were Jack Barton from the second district, Bradley Hendrix from the third district, Wayne Cantrell and David McDowell from the fourth district, Jerry Adcock from the fifth district, and Larry Summers from the seventh district.
Two members, John Green from the fifth district, and Mason Carter from the first district were absent Monday night.
County Mayor Mike Foster could have broken the tie but chose not to do so.
Later in the meeting, following a short recess, the commissioners took another vote but the result was the same, a tie.
The commission will likely try again at the next meeting on March 26. The position will remain vacant until then.
Last month, the commission voted to accept applications from anyone in the sixth district who was eligible to apply. The deadline for receiving applications was February 6th. Trapp and Stephens were the only persons who responded.
The commission conducted interviews of both men last Thursday night during an all-committees meeting and scheduled a vote to select one of the two men during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting (last night).
Parsley, who was elected in 2008, resigned as of December 31, 2011 to pursue a teaching career. His term expires August 31st. The person appointed by the commission to fill the vacancy will serve through August 31st.
Both Trapp and Stephens have said they intend to run for a full four year term in the August County General Election.
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