County Commissioners this morning failed to reach a decision on who should replace outgoing Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey – they split their vote 4-4 between Mike Carter, special assistant to the mayor and Commissioner Jim Coppinger.
Commissioners took a 10 minute recess after the initial vote and then voted again, but could not break through the deadlock. Either candidate needs five votes to win the job.
The county’s next mayor will serve until 2012 when he will have the opportunity to run in a general election. Commissioners will meet again Jan. 5 and will take up the appointment then.
Fred Skillern: Coppinger
Jim Fields: Coppinger
Warren Mackey: Carter
Greg Beck: Mike Carter
Joe Graham: Coppinger
Larry Henry: Jim Coppinger
Tim Boyd: Mike Carter carter
Chester Bankston: Mike Carter