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Split in commission evident over LCDA appointee
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Some of the seats on the boards, committees and other panels that help the Liberty County Commission run the county may have only one candidate asking for the appointment and some have no applicants at all.

That is not the case with a seat on the Liberty County Development Authority currently held by Graylan Quarterman; it expires at the end of the year. In three sharply split votes at the regular November meeting the commissioners turned down three people seeking the post and told County Administrator Joey Brown to advertise the vacancy again and start over.

Commissioner Marion Stevens moved to appoint Maxcy Jones to the post and his motion was seconded by Commissioner Gary Gilliard. Stevens, Gilliard and Commissioner Eddie Walden voted for Jones. Commissioners Pat Bowen, Justin Frasier, and Connie Thrift voted no along with Commissioner Chairman Donald Lovette. Lovette is a member of the development authority

Frasier moved to appoint Joe Ford to the LCDA and Gilliard seconded this motion. Gilliard, Stevens, and Frasier voted in favor of Ford. Walden, Bowen, Thrift, and Lovette voted no.

A motion by Thrift to reappoint incumbent Graylan Quarterman was seconded by Lovette and the two of them voted yes. Five commissioners voted no: Walden, Gilliard, Bowen, Frasier, and Stevens.

Nominations for two vacancies on the Liberty County Hospital Authority were less controversial; on a motion by Thrift seconded by Stevens incumbents Bobby Ryon and Stephanie Osteen were approved unanimously.

Parker can be contacted via email at joeparkerjr@hotmail.com.


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