October 10, 2006
New York
New York
An apparent lack of interest in the Hartsville town supervisor position has the town turning to advertising to find a replacement for Amy Emerson.
Emerson, 32, resigned last month, effective Sept. 30, citing a need to spend more time with her family and less time on the heated wind farm debate that has embroiled the town for the past year. She served two full two-year terms and was in the middle of her third. The Republican was first elected to office in 2001.
“The continued controversy and negativity has invaded our daily lives 24 hours/7 days a week,” her letter of resignation stated. “I am making the choice to no longer live that way.”
Deputy Supervisor George Prior said the ad was placed to get as many candidates for the job as possible.
“We just thought with all the stuff that’s gone on in town that would be the prudent thing to do,” he said.
Four people have expressed interest in taking over the role of supervisor thus far, Prior said, but declined to name names.
“I’d prefer not to mention names at this point,” he said.
Prior doesn’t expect much discussion on the supervisor search at Wednesday’s 7 p.m. meeting, other than setting up times to interview candidates.
“I don’t see that there’s much to discuss at this point,” he said, adding interviews are the best way to approach the situation. “It keeps it out front.”
That there are already four interested persons doesn’t surprise Prior, even with the turmoil the town board has dealt with.
“I think there are people well aware of what’s happened in town and are willing to step up to the plate,” he said. “That’s a good thing, in my opinion, and I fell good about it.”
Prior and Councilman Gene Garrison both stated during the September meeting they had no interest in taking over the supervisor position, while councilpersons Mattie Parini and Jim Perry both said after that meeting they didn’t want the job, either.
Emerson’s term runs through Dec. 31, 2007. The board will have to appoint someone to fill the remainder of this year, as well as making an appointment after Jan. 1, 2007, to serve for that year.
By Rob Montana, Staff Writer
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/10/10/hartsville-advertising-for-supervisor-town-takes-out-legal-ad-in-effort-to-fill-vacancy/