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THURSDAY, August 23, 2012
Mangum will be Sheriff From staff reports Jackson County Sheriff’s investigator Janis Mangum will succeed Sheriff Stan Evans, the man she has worked for nearly a quarter-century, as the chief law enforcement officer next January. In Tuesday’s primary runoff, Mangum received 68.86 percent of the vote to become Jackson County’s first elected female Sheriff. Mangum garnered 5,117 votes and Ramone Gilbert, who got into the runoff as the second-place finisher in the July 31 primary, received 3,155 votes for 38.14 percent. After the results were in, Mangum said she was excited, elated and humbled. “I never made promises during the campaign but I promise you now that I will be the best Sheriff I can be for the citizens of Jackson County,” said Mangum. Looking at the vote tally, she
said, “The numbers told me that what I stand for and working for the people of Jackson County – what I have done for 23 years for the people – they don’t forget you. “They have been so good to me and God has blessed me through this journey,” said Mangum, who deflects comments about being the first elected female to serve as Jackson County Sheriff. “I don’t think of gender; I think about getting the job done and continuing to do what I took an oath to do – serve and protect the people of Jackson County.” In the Probate Judge race, Sherry Moore, the top primary vote-getter, was successful in rallying additional support for the runoff win. Moore tallied 64.95 percent of the vote in the race with Donna Sikes, who got 35.05 percent. Moore said January will bring a new beginning for her to work for the citizens of Jackson County. She acknowledges
she will miss the Clarke County families she had served through the years as well as co-workers she will work with through year’s end. “I was determined to win on my qualifications,” said Moore, who noted that word of mouth from people who believed in her made the difference in the campaign. She said the support she received was amazing. After eight months of very hard work, she said she feels very blessed. “I couldn’t have it without my family and friends. And I thank the voters for their confidence in me.” Donna Sikes said she was appreciative for the support she has received, and expressed thanks to those who worked hard for her. She also congratulated Moore on her win. Sheriff-elect Magnum got well wishes from Gilbert.
See ELECTION, page 5A
Debbie Purvis The Paper
Janis Mangum and husband Jerry show off T-shirt announcing, “There’s a new sheriff in Jackson County.”
Hulsey is honored by county
New LOST certificate is 60-40 split
First finance director continuing public service with Carl Vinson Institute of Gov’t
By LEANNE AKIN lakin@clickthepaper.com
duties with a level of dedication that went beyond the call of duty, diligently working to enhance the status and image of the Jackson County government by keeping accurate records of the finances and making recommendations for budget amendments throughout the fiscal year to ensure
Jackson County and its municipalities are looking to have population serve as the basis for divvying up the Local Option Sales Tax collections for the next decade. In spite of a series of meetings with negotiators on behalf of Jackson County and the county’s nine municipalities to weigh other criteria into the LOST pie split, an 11th-hour decision by the two largest cities – Jefferson and Commerce, which account for more than 51 percent of the municipal population – settled the negotiations to avoid mediation. Effective Jan. 1, 2013 and lasting through Dec. 31, 2022, Jackson County will take 60 percent of the LOST collections with the remaining 40 percent to be split between the cities. At the Monday meeting of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, the board made the first move toward formal acceptance of the new certificate of distribution. County Manager Kevin Poe reminded that negotiations had been under way for the past several weeks and an agreement had been reached. The commission unanimously approved the 6040 split which negotiators representing Jefferson and Commerce agreed to on Aug. 22. Jefferson City Manager John Ward, who was actively involved in the negotiations, was in attendance at Monday’s commission meeting. Commission Chairman Hunter Bicknell said the 60-40 divvy was a reasonable compromise. With the commission’s approval, the Jefferson City Council will be taking its formal vote on the LOST split during its Monday 6 p.m. meeting.
See HULSEY, page 2A
See LOST, page 5A
By LEANNE AKIN lakin@clickthepaper.com Jackson County is seeking a new finance director – the second in its history as John Hulsey, who became the county’s first finance director on June 8, 1998, is going to work at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. During the Monday meeting of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, Chairman Hunter Bicknell read a resolution honoring Hulsey, who was to be honored at an Aug. 22 reception. The resolution was signed by all the commissioners, who stood with other staff and the audience to applaud Hulsey for his dedicated service to Jackson County. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve with the various boards and authorities,” said Hulsey, who noted he had developed some long-lasting relationships during his time with Jackson County. “Since I will continue my public service with the Carl Vinson Institute, I’m sure our paths will cross,” said Hulsey. According to the resolution, which will be framed to be presented to Hulsey at
LeAnne Akin The Paper
Jackson County Commission Chairman Hunter Bicknell readies to shake the hand of John Hulsey, who was honored at the Monday commissioners’ meeting. District 1 Commissioner Tom Crow, who will assume the chairmanship in January, is seen in the background. a later date, notes that Hulsey began his career of public service with Jackson County government 17 years ago on Aug. 21, 1995. He was named “Jackson County’s first Finance Director by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners” in 1998. “During his tenure, John has been a devoted and faithful officer who fulfilled his
Jackson Co. chamber seeking new president/CEO By LEANNE AKIN lakin@clickthepaper.com The executive committee of the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce will be meeting this week to determine how to begin its search for a new president and Chief Executive Officer. Shane Short’s resignation was accepted on Aug. 15. He had been at the helm of the chamber since October of 2007. “I wanted to let our members know that Shane Short has resigned as President and CEO of the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce, effective Aug. 15,” said Keith Johnson, who serves as chairman of the board of directors. “The executive committee of the board of directors has accepted his resignation, and Short we will soon organize a search committee to select a new Chamber President. “We appreciate the contributions Shane has made to the Chamber and Jackson
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County during his time with us, and I know that you join me in wishing him well in his future endeavors,” said Johnson. Short discussed his future with the chamber on Aug. 10 and the board chairman took the matter to the executive committee. The executive committee held an Aug. 14 meeting at which Johnson shared that Short thought it would be in the best interest of the chamber and his family that he resign. The committee talked at length during the meeting and agreed to accept Short’s resignation. Short and Johnson met again on the afternoon of Aug. 15 to work out details of Short’s departure. The full chamber board was officially notified of the decision at its regular meeting on the morning of Aug. 17. “We appreciate the job Shane has done for the chamber,” said Johnson, who notes the new programs and ideas he brought to the chamber including the upcoming Buy Local Expo and the BASH and other networking events.
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Johnson said membership has grown under Short’s leadership. “We wish him all the best,” said Johnson, commenting on Short’s creative ideas and his unique approach to marketing. Johnson said he and another executive board member met with the remaining chamber staff and pledged the full support of the board and the membership. “We’ll be supporting them to the best of our abilities. Our main focus is moving forward,” he said. Jackson County Commission Chairman Hunter Bicknell said Short has done a great job for Jackson County. “He elevated everything for us and is a very talented person with a lot of skills and any organization that would take him one would be very fortunate. I feel confident he will find a new position since he has such a great story to tell and has a great resume.” Bicknell said Short came to the community from a much larger chamber with more resources and he may feel he’s done all he can do in Jackson County. Contacted late last week after the announcement was made to the chamber board, Short said, “For the past five years
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it has been my privilege to serve the people and business community of Jackson County. I’m very proud of what the chamber has been able to accomplish. Our success in economic development has been second to none during some of the country’s most difficult economic times. “I am also grateful for the many professional and personal friendships that I have developed,” said Short. “My family and I love this community and are very proud to call it home.” As quickly as possible, Johnson said he expects the board to begin discussion related to the search for a new president and CEO. “We will take our time to find the right person,” said Johnson, who commented that he was unsure at this point what process the board would pursue. When Short was hired, The Chason Group had coordinated that search process. It was The Chason Group which also served as the executive search team that worked with Jackson County in identifying candidates for the county manager position. Kevin Poe was hired by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners after that search.
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