Commission holds off replacing Iwanski’s 8th District vacancy
The 8th District vacancy on Anderson County Commission will remain open, for now--at least until commissioners have some time to make an informed decision.
During the Anderson County Commission meeting Monday, July 17, Commission voted to defer for 30 days appointing someone to replace Myron Iwanski, former Commissioner of the 8th District in Oak Ridge. Iwanski resigned from his position as 8th District commissioner last month after being appointed by commission to replace Rodney Archer as county trustee. Archer announced earlier this year he was stepping down from his long-time appointment as county trustee to take a position with the state of Tennessee.
Mark Alderson, District 2 commissioner, made the motion to defer the appointment of 8th District commissioner for 30 days. His reason for deferring the appointment, he said, was because the legal notice detailing the commission vacancy did not appear in The Oak Ridger on time.
Officials also noted that the notice appeared in The Courier News as having a deadline, which, according to County Law Director Jay Yeager, is not proper procedure in this type of situation.
“The notification in the paper had a deadline. There is no deadline,” Yeager said.
However, he added, “there’s no harm in having a recommended deadline.”
The extra time would allow commissioners a chance to thoroughly read applicant resumes, he said.
Thus far, only two applicants have submitted resumes for the 8th District seat vacancy.
They are David Mosby and Nathaniel Varner, both are residents of Haven Hill Lane in Oak Ridge.
Mosby is a project manager/engineer at BWXT Y-12 with experience serving on various community and professional organizations: vice president of membership of the East Tennessee Chapter of Project Management Institute, Atomic City Sportsmen Club President, Executive Committee Member for Anderson/Oak Ridge NAACP, Oak Ridge Beer Board Member, former council member for City of Oak Ridge and former vice president and member of Oak Ridge Regional Planning Commission.
“When the opportunity to serve in this capacity became available, I got excited about the chance to help. I want to ensure the continued growth and economic expansion that is necessary to benefit all in the county. I believe I would bring a disciplined and objective look at business operations and regulations,” Mosby stated in a request form for consideration for nomination to serve on the 8th District commission seat.
Nathaniel Varner, a computer science professional, stated in the request form he wants to serve on the commission because he feels “compelled to dedicate” his “professional career toward serving the public good, without reservation.”
Both candidates were present at the commission meeting Monday.