<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2e2Uq3_1GzEcA9r00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2e2Uq3_1GzEcA9r00" width="3840" height="568" >The Lowndes County Commission met Wednesday after swearing in two commissioners — newly elected Clifford “Cee” Jackson and reelected Joseph Barganier. Two of its first actions were electing a new chairman and replacing the county attorney.District Judge Adrian Johnson opened the meeting for the commission’s first order of business. Commissioners voted 3-2 to appoint Dickson Farrior, who represents District 5, as chairman. Farrior, Barganier and Jackson supported the measure. Former Chairman Charlie King Jr. and Commissioner Fletcher Hayes opposed it.“Mr. Farrior, I turn the meeting over to you as the new chairman of the county commission,” Johnson said.Jackson then replaced Farrior as vice chairman in a move unanimously approved by commissioners.The commission also approved terminating its contract with county attorney Prince Chestnutt. Hayes abstained, while Farrior, Barganier and Jackson supported the motion and King opposed it.Commissioners then voted to replace Chestnutt with former county attorney Hank Sanders under the terms of Sanders’ previous contract. The measure passed by a 3-2 vote; King and Hayes voted no, and Barganier, Farrior and Jackson supported the move. The commission also approved new standards for future meetings.“I move that our regular meeting date will be on the second and fourth Monday with the meeting time at 6 p.m. for most meetings, and the meeting location will be here [in the Charles Smith Annex] building or in the courtroom if necessary and that the time limits of the public input will be moved up from two minutes to five minutes,” Barganier said.Commissioners unanimously approved the motion.Commissioners considered whether to pay Chestnutt for the next 90 days but, on Sanders’ advice, decided not to do so.“The attorney was terminated, and he has a 90-day suspension on his contract,” King said. “[Is the commission] agreeing to pay him out his 90 days or let him serve his 90 days out?”“You have the right to terminate this contract,” Chestnutt said. “You would have to write me a letter, and then the 90 days starts from that day on. And so, if you don’t want me to show up at any future meetings, then I won’t, but I would like you to honor my contract to pay me the retainer for those last three months and what you already owe me.”Sanders explained how commissioners could legally move forward.“When you have a newly constituted commission, they have the right to end any contract for personal services, like an attorney, and to hire a new attorney immediately,” Sanders said. “That 90-day [period] does not apply.”In other business, Jackson offered a motion requiring at least three commissioners’ votes to authorize staff assignments or requests. The motion passed unanimously.The commission also approved a quote to upgrade 911 equipment, with $41,000 coming from the general fund. All commissioners supported the motion.Commissioners approved payment of October invoices and a $3,000 appropriation to Hearts of Angels proposed by Hayes.Gordonville Mayor Orbuty Ozier petitioned the commission for $8,000 for Lowndes County Public Schools to purchase a tennis curriculum. The commission unanimously voted to table the discussion until its next meeting.The commission also approved a resolution complying with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.Commissioners will hold their next regular meeting at 6 p.m. Nov. 23.</div></body>

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The Lowndes County Commission met Wednesday after swearing in two commissioners — newly elected Clifford “Cee” Jackson and reelected Joseph Barganier. Two of its first actions were electing a new chairman and replacing the county attorney. District Judge Adrian Johnson opened the meeting for the commission’s first...

Commissioners replace chairman, county attorney

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The Lowndes County Commission met Wednesday after swearing in two commissioners — newly elected Clifford “Cee” Jackson and reelected Joseph Barganier. Two 

Commissioners replace chairman, county attorney

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