Melissa McClendon
The Town of Locust Grove faced a vacant seat on its five member Board of Trustees when it met Monday, Dec. 10 for the regular monthly meeting.
Joe Caldwell's position on the board was considered vacant after Caldwell missed at least 50 percent of the board's meetings in the last four months. If any board member is absent 50 percent of the meetings in a four month period seat is considered vacant and the board must appoint someone to fill the position.
Mayor Shawn Bates said Caldwell had trouble making it to several special meetings that were called in th last four months. Caldwell works outside of the county and was not able to make it to the special meetings.
Bates said Caldwell talked to board members about his vacant position.
"He said he would love to stay on the board," said Bates.
The now four member board reappointed Caldwell to his position. Caldwell will serve in that role until the next General Election in 2009. He will then have to re-run for his former position. If elected he will be completing his four year term.
The board is also considering asking the town's people to vote on changing the City Clerk position from an elected position to an appointed position.
Bates said as of now City Clerk, Chris Taylor is not planning to run for re-election in 2009. Taylor ran unopposed in the last election. Bates said the board considered changing the City Clerk position from an elected position to an appointed position. The board asked attorney John Crocket to draft a resolution so that the question can be decided by a vote of the people.
"I believe it would be in the best interest of the town to put that as an appointed position," Bates said. He went on to say that if the question passed, the board would be able to possibly appoint someone who already works in City Hall whether it be the office manager or another office employee. Doing so would not only cut back on the doubling of work but also help put someone in the position who is familiar with the town's operations.
