Out Going Putnam County Commissioners Appreciated (Photo Gallery)

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Story Published: Aug 30, 2010 at 7:44 PM CST

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2010 at 6:45 PM CST

At the last Putnam County Commission Meeting, Putnam County Executive Kim Blaylock, presented plaques to the several departing commissioners expressing a sincere and heartfelt thanks to each of them for their individual contributions to the citizens of Putnam County. 

This list included:

District 1-- David " Crock" Randolph, Larry Epps
 
District 3--Scott McCanless
 
District 4-- D. Marson McCormick
 
District 5--Johnnie Wheeler
 
District 6--Joel Cowan
 
District 9--Dale Moss, Greg Rector
 
District 10--Gene Mullins
 
District 11--Jere Mason, Bill Walker
 
District 12--Ron Chaffin
 
Most, if not all, of the new commissioners, officially starting September 1, were in the room during the meeting.
 
So after the plaques were presented, Commissioner Gene Mullins, as one of his last official acts, presented the following “charge and challenge” to the entire august body of both outgoing commissioners, those commissioners staying on, and the new commissioners coming in. 
 
It was worthy of printing.
 
Gene Mullins: 

“The day after the general election four years ago, my wife asked me for what I would run next. I jokingly replied, “Our back deck.” Seriously, when you pray about it, put out the fleece, and the answer comes back “don’t run,” I know that God has other plans for me. 
 
Besides, two terms should be enough for anybody. I am nevertheless humbled by the many expressions of gratitude for a job well done and wishes that I had run again that I have received from my constituents and from across the county.
 
The next four years will present the county commission with many challenges. 
 
You will eventually have to come to grips with building a new jail. You will have to find ways control spending to avoid large tax increases.
 
It is way past time for this county to adopt county-wide zoning. For that matter, it is probably time to start considering metropolitan government. Dare I mention term limits?
 
Many of you may not know that I have a masters degree in chemistry. Scientists are trained to carefully define problems, learn from past results, gather new information, and draw conclusions based on data. 
 
Good scientists do not make rash statements not based on fact, but are willing to listen to peers and refrain from personal attacks. 
 
I challenge the incoming commission to emulate that example and I thank the original members of Land & Facilities for taking such a rational, deliberative approach to their duties. 
 
I also challenge the incoming commission to know what your constituents are thinking. 
 
Yes, I know it takes hours to actually pick up the phone and make random phone calls to constituents to discover they are thinking, but that’s part of it.
 
To all department heads, I thank you for the jobs that you do. 
 
I remind you that no one department is automatically entitled to all county revenue nor should any one department bear all of any budget cuts. 
 
It may very well take a village to raise a child, but the entire village needs to be adequately funded, trained, and equipped in a cost-efficient manner that does not bankrupt the village.
 
I especially thank people like Randy Porter for his professionalism and Sheriff Andrews for his dedication as they lead employees who know their lives could be in danger but work anyway because it’s their job.  
 
To the local media, I challenge you to report on county government in a complete, accurate, and fair manner. 
 
My parting words come from a very wise man, words on which I based my campaigns and my commission service. 
 
Solomon wrote them in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” 
 
Thank you."
 
The new incoming Putnam County Commissioners beginning September 1, 2010 include:
 
District 1: Tom Short, Scott Ebersole
 
District 3: David Gentry
 
District 4: Ron Williamson
 
District 5: Terry Randolph
 
District 6: Chris Savage
 
District 9: Daryl Blair, Jonathan Williams
 
District 10: Kim Bradford
 
District 11: Steve Pierce, Marsha Bowman
 
District 12: Cathy Reel

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