While Fannin County Post One Commissioner Earl Johnson will continue to serve as the county waits for Commissioner-Elect Johnny Scearce to be sworn in, he has chosen to abstain from all votes that do not require a tie-breaker and to not be compensated by the county.
“I’ve always taken my position here seriously … so I don’t take lightly the notion of continuing to serve,” Johnson said. “I’ve wrestled with it until I’m sore, and I’m tired of even thinking about it, but I don’t mind doing it for Fannin County, and helping Johnny out.”
While Johnson is willing to continue serving, he is only able to commit to serve for 90 days.
“The only reason I think I should vote is if there’s a tie between the other two commissioners,” Johnson said. “Essentially, my role would just be to be here in case I’m needed. … I’m not doing this for a distraction, because I want this administration to get off on a new start with the agenda that you’ve set forward. I’m not going to push any agenda. I’m just going to be here in case, and in the event that there needs to be a tie-break.”
Chairman Jamie Hensley said, “For a gentleman or a lady in that position to hold over, if you will, I mean it was obvious that you didn’t want to run again, and to do that, I myself, as a citizen, would appreciate that.”
Post Two Commissioner Glenn Patterson echoed Hensley, stating, “You have the expertise of eight years being here, and not just your background, but as far as your work goes, you are a very valuable asset to have right now. I would like to invite any information that would help this board make a good firm decision for our citizens in Fannin County. ... I’d like for you to feel comfortable in expressing things that maybe Mr. Hensley and I don’t have a background in.”
Following questions from Johnson, in an attempt to ensure he was legally allowed to continue to serve, County Attorney Lynn Doss explained that Johnson is the only person who can serve prior to Scearce’s swearing-in.
“The law specifically says that you are elected for a four-year term commencing on the first day of January immediately following your election, and/until their successors are elected and qualified,” she said. “Mr. Scearce has been elected, but he’s not been qualified. You become qualified by taking the oath of office. So, since Mr. Scearce had not taken the oath of office on January 1, your term really didn’t end. The law says you continue over.”