The first gathering of the new Hamilton County Commission on Wednesday started with a bit of political intrigue.
The first order of business, selecting a chairman and vice chairman, demonstrated some division on the new Republican-dominated commission. Fred Skillern easily won re-election as chairman, but there was a disagreement over the vice chairman.
HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION* Fred Skillern, District 1* Jim Fields, District 2* Jim Coppinger, District 3* Warren Mackey, District 4* Greg Beck, District 5* Joe Graham, District 6* Larry Henry, District 7* Tim Boyd, District 8* Chester Bankston, District 9
Commissioner Greg Beck nominated Commissioner Jim Coppinger, but new Commissioner Tim Boyd nominated Commissioner Larry Henry. The vote came down 7-2 in favor of Coppinger, with Henry and Boyd supporting Henry’s nomination.
Afterward, Henry persuaded commissioners to rescind the first vote and hold a second, unanimous vote for Coppinger.