ROGERSVILLE — The Hawkins County Commission rejected the Industrial Development Board’s choice to fill a board vacancy Monday, instead choosing former commissioner and IDB member Phill Barrett.
On March 29, the Hawkins County IDB voted to recommend the appointment of Rogersville Review publisher Jesse Lindsey to fill a board vacancy created by the death of IDB member Gene Hawks.
Lindsey was approved by the IDB via secret ballot which included two nominees, but Barrett was not the second nominee considered at that time.
At its May 2010 meeting, the County Commission voted 18-3 in favor of a resolution reducing the number of IDB members from 15 to 13.
As an amendment to that resolution, Commissioner Danny Alvis made a motion that Barrett be “considered” for reappointment to the IDB the next time a vacancy occurs.
Alvis’s 2010 motion to amend was approved 11-10.
As the commission considered the IDB’s recommendation to appoint Lindsey Monday, Commissioner John Metz reminded the commission of the 2010 vote to consider Barrett. Barrett was then nominated to fill the seat as well.
Barrett is retired from AFG Industries and previously served one complete term as county commissioner from 1998-2002. He didn’t seek a second term in 2002 and unsuccessfully ran for election to the register of deeds office.
In 2003, Barrett was appointed to the IDB, but in 2006 he won election back onto the County Commission.
In 2007, Barrett resigned from the County Commission to seek election to a seat on the Holston Electric Cooperative board of directors. He was defeated in that election.
Barrett was appointed to the IDB Monday by a vote of 15-2, with Commissioners Jeff Barrett and John McLain voting for Lindsey and Linda Kimbro and Bob Palmer abstaining.
Hawkins County Industrial Developer Lynn Lawson said Monday he believes Barrett will serve the IDB well. Lawson noted that Lindsey would have been an asset as well.
He said Lindsey had past experience in economic development, and that’s why he was recommended for approval by the IDB.
“There’s a lot of people considered for that job, and there’s a lot of people who are able to contribute to the Industrial Board and the development of industry within Hawkins County,” Lawson said. “What the industrial board members tried to do is come up with who is able to contribute the most, who will be a benefit to the Hawkins County Industrial Board for its future growth of industry.”