By By ROBERT BLANKENSHIP – Managing Editor
Three members of the Escambia County Commission renewed their office oath on Tuesday following each member's re-election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
District 1 Commissioner David Stokes, District 3 Commissioner and Chairman Larry White and District 5 Commissioner Wiley Tait were each sworn in at a regular-scheduled meeting held one day late due to the Veteran's Day holiday.
Stokes said he looked forward to serving his fourth term as a commissioner and working to improve the county.
Stokes defeated Republican challenger Melinda Maddox to retain his seat on the commission.
White was re-elected over Republican James Strength in District 3 to maintain his seat on the commission. Tait, who defeated a challenger during the June primary, ran unopposed in the general election to maintain the District 5 seat.
Following the oaths, District 2 Commission Todd Williamson said he looked forward to continuing the work of the county with the newly-elected commissioners.
White was re-elected to his third term as commissioner and Tait begins his second term.
Other items discussed by the commission included:
Additional fees of about $52,000 were charged to the county for initial engineering costs. The county asked for the state's help in paying the bill which was in excess of the original fees.
The commission offered thanks to Governor Don Seigelman, along with local delegates Seth Hammett, Pat Lindsey, Jimmy Warren and Skippy White, for their help in acquiring the additional funds.
According to Williamson, former board member Richard Benjamin moved from the area, leaving a vacancy on the board.
The commission approved his recommendation to appoint Parker by an unanimous vote;
The department is in the organizational stage and requested $1,200 for first-year insurance costs, according to Tait.
Tait said due to the county's current economic situation, the item should be tabled until the second quarter of the fiscal year.
The polling place will still be located on the grounds of the Poarch Creek Indians facility. The commission approved to move the polling place from one of the facilities to the newer Community Service Center at the request of PCI Tribal Chairman Eddie Tullis.
The change will have to be approved by the federal government;
The item was approved by a vote of 3-1-1. Williamson abstained while White voted "no;"