Written by Marilyn Toppins and recorded by Chantay Collins.

From the opening remarks to the vacant chair adorned with a white wreath, it was evident that the recent passing of Commissioner J. M. Bailey weighed on the minds of everyone who attended the Monday night Union County Commission Meeting. After a moment of silence, Chairman Gary England paid tribute to Commissioner Bailey by saying that he had lost a colleague and a friend. “No matter what you may have thought of his views, J. M. never voted on an issue that he did not understand. You could always count on him to ask a question, and I'll miss him,“ stated Mr. England.

The absence of two newly elected Commissioners, Larry Lay and Jeff Chesney, may have impacted the next two agenda items. The September meeting is the election of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman. When Chairman England called for nominations for Chairman, Commissioner Smith nominated Gary England and Commissioner Holloway nominated Jason Bailey. With only 13 commissioners in attendance, neither garnered the necessary eight votes. The same two candidates were nominated. The vote was taken two times. The results were the same-England (7), Bailey (6). Commissioners voting for England: Jody Smith, Debra Keck, Becky Munsey, Sydney Jessee, Danny Cooke, Billy Cox, and Gary England. Commissioners voting for Bailey: R.L. Jones, Jeff Brantley, Joyce Meltabarger, Janet Holloway, Dawn Flatford, and Kenny Hill.

Believing the election of a Chairman was necessary to continue the agenda, Commissioner Keck moved to recess until the next day. This motion also failed-For (7) to Against (6). Eight votes were needed to pass. One Commissioner suggested that they could elect the Vice-Chairman who could serve as the Chairman and made that motion and appeared to have a second. Chairman England opined that the election of both Chairman and Vice Chairman should be postponed to October, then recognized Commissioner Holloway as she made that motion. With a second by Commissioner Meltabarger, the motion passed.

But just when the Commission was contemplating adjournment, Attorney David Myers rose to proclaim that the meeting could continue and the business completed under the current chairman according to an Attorney General Opinion. So, the Commission proceeded to approve the minutes, the notaries, the monthly financial report, and the sheriff's report. Finance Director Ann Dyer said that the budget was as expected for September. Sheriff Billy Breeding reported the following for August: 746 calls, 10 total wrecks with injury, 22 wrecks without injury, 3 residential burglaries, 164 booked into the jail, and 89 as the current jail population.

Chairman England announced that items 12, 13, and 14 would be postponed to October since they would need to come before the Budget and Finance Committee. The Budget and Finance Committee could not meet since the majority of its members were not re-elected and needed to be appointed at the current meeting. Also, Commissioner Bailey chaired the Budget and Finance Committee. Item 12 was Budget Amendments and Transfers. Item 13 was on increasing the pay of poll workers, and Item 14 dealt with an employ who wanted to buy back retirement from TCRS.

Two grants were approved. Sharps Chapel school will see improvement in the sewer system due to an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Grant, The grant was approved on a motion by Commissioner Keck. Highway Superintendent David Cox requested approval to hire Robert Campbell Engineering as part of a state grant to improve the bridge over Bull Run Creek on Bower Hollow Road. Commissioner Smith's motion passed. The improvements will be at no cost to Union County due to the grant.

The ongoing consideration of property at Rush Strong School to have a satellite fire station came to an abrupt halt when not enough land existed to build the needed facility. Chris Upton continues to seek coverage for some under-served areas of Sharps Chapel.

Mayor Bailey, who by law oversees county property and buildings, was also placed in charge of the courthouse. Had the Commission not voted on this matter, the sheriff would have been responsible by state law for maintaining this building. Commissioners Jones and Hill offered the motion.

Other new business items created a Delinquent Tax Property Sale Committee and filled Library Board vacancies. Trudy Tedder will serve on the Union County Library Board while Lorie Wolfenbarger and Mike Williams will be on the Regional Library Board.

So again, Commission thought about adjourning. But Mayor Jason Bailey informed the chairman and all present that the law required the appointment of committees at the September meeting. He introduced his staff, Heather Sizemore and Ginger Fields, who distributed the list of committees. He said that he was open to changes. Stating that as much as possible, he tried to fairly distribute appointments and make the least possible changes, Mayor Bailey appointed the members of 26 committees. Then the meeting adjourned.