Correspondent

The Claiborne County Commission met in regular session on Monday, Jan 28. Fourth District County Commissioner Dennis Estes questioned the validity of the rejection of Chester Gibson as a hospital board member. In the December meeting, Gibson received enough votes to be appointed but the action was effectively vetoed by County Mayor Joe Tyler Duncan.

Duncan said at that time that appointments must receive his concurrence. During this month's meeting County Attorney James D. Estep III opined that the action taken last month was correct procedurally. Later in the meeting Robert Asbury was appointed to the Hospital Board. Second District Commissioner Jerry Arnwine, Estes, and Fourth District Commissioner Jerry Brooks voted against the appointment of Asbury.

As a final action of the evening, commissioners passed a non-binding recommendation that Second District Commissioner Juanita Honeycutt be hired as the hospital administrator to replace departing Tim Brown.

Duncan administered the oath of office to Joan Cosby immediately before the meeting was opened. Cosby replaces Sixth District Commissioner Tom Daugherty. Representatives from Vaughn and Melton Engineers presented drawings of the proposed elevator for the courthouse. They also reported plans to use a new type of mechanical system that will save about $40,000.

Duncan reported on several projects including surveying of certain school board properties now owned by the county, relocation of Chancellor Billy Joe White