Huntsville, TN (2008-11-17) Third District Commissioner Tommy “Joel” Newport tendered his resignation from the Scott County Commission Monday night, ending his second stint on the Board. The Commission will appoint a replacement at its next meeting.
Third District Commissioner Tommy “Joel” Newport resigned his seat on the Scott County Commission Monday night, citing his relocation to the Second District as his reasoning. Commissioner Newport, who was last elected to his 3rd District seat in 2006, had previously served a total of three terms on the County Commission from 1986-1998. In the 1998 August election, Newport had ran for re-election, but was defeated by a single vote by current Commissioner Ernest Phillips. He chose not run for a seat in 2002. Upon hearing his resignation, County Mayor Rick Keeton, as well as several other Commissioners, thanked Commissioner Newport for his years of service to Scott County, and wished him well in the future.
Newport’s resignation will become effective November 30, 2008.
The Board then took up the task of filling the vacancy in the midst. The first order of business, stated Scott County Attorney John Beaty, would be the official notification of a vacancy by County Clerk Patricia (Pat) Phillips to each Commissioner. Then, Beaty continued, the County Commission would take applications from potential candidates and then vote on those prospective replacement at a future meeting.
On a motion by Odeva Byrd, seconded by Ernest Phillips, the Commission voted to allow Mayor Keeton and Beaty to begin accepting applications for the position immediately. It was also agreed that the Commission would vote on Newport’s replacement at its next regularly schedule meeting on December 15, 2008.