Lowndes County supervisors are expected to fill a vacancy on the Columbus-Lowndes County E-911 board this week.
According to Sheri Fancher, E-911 director, the choice will be made at the supervisors’ Friday meeting.
The seat was left empty when Bernice Lile was arrested on an embezzlement charge. Lile, 61, of 1256 Lee Stokes Road, was arrested Sept. 1 for embezzlement against Gordman Insurance Services. Lile, an employee of the company, stole a “large amount” of money, Interim Columbus Police Chief Selvain McQueen said the day after the arrest.
Five people have applied for the appointment, County Administrator Ralph Billingsley reported during the Oct. 3 supervisors meeting.
The applicants include officer Terrie Songer of the Columbus Police Department; Sammy Fondren, Lowndes County fire services coordinator; Kirk Gayle, Columbus firefighter; Terry Petty, Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office chief reserve deputy; and Wayne Doyle, Lowndes County volunteer firefighter.
Billingsley said the board vacancy “will be on the agenda” for Friday’s meeting, and he believes the supervisors will make a decision.
According to Harry Sanders, Board of Supervisors president, the vacancy is a District 3 selection, John Holliman’s district, and the decision probably will be left to Holliman’s discretion.
“It’ll pretty much be left up to his recommendation … Normally speaking, the other board members go along with it,” Sanders said, noting there is not a requirement that the board member live within the district they’ll represent, but selections “usually are” of residents within the district.
Sanders also said there are no requirements for emergency response experience to become an E-911 board member.
Lile also served as the board chair, and Fancher said there will be an election held to name a new chair after the new member is selected.
“There will be an election held by the 911 board probably in November,” Fancher said.
The appointment still will leave one vacant seat on the E-911 board, as former Columbus Police Chief Joseph St. John resigned via email from his District 5 position on Sunday.
Lowndes County District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks said the search for a replacement will begin soon.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.