Interviews set for city commission vacancy in South Pittsburg, Tennessee

Then-South Pittsburg Vice Mayor Samantha Rector talks about spending and the budget at a June 2019 workshop meeting only three commissioners attended. / Photo by Ryan Lewis
Then-South Pittsburg Vice Mayor Samantha Rector talks about spending and the budget at a June 2019 workshop meeting only three commissioners attended. / Photo by Ryan Lewis

SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. - After former South Pittsburg Mayor Virgil Holder resigned last month, Vice Mayor Samantha Rector took over as acting mayor, leaving a vacancy on the city commission.

Rector will hold that position for the remaining 18 months of Holder's term.

Now, city leaders are preparing to conduct of series of interviews to fill the District 2 seat.

At the board's July meeting, Rector said anyone residing in that district who is interested in serving out that term could apply.

photo Then-South Pittsburg Vice Mayor Samantha Rector talks about spending and the budget at a June 2019 workshop meeting only three commissioners attended. / Photo by Ryan Lewis

"With my seat being vacant, we are going to advertise that position for two weeks in the [local] newspaper," she said. "Anyone interested can submit their name to city hall."

Former longtime mayor Bob Sherrill asked if that is a requirement of the South Pittsburg city charter.

"It's not," Rector replied. "There's not."

She said the board will conduct a "face-to-face interview process" before making a selection.

City Attorney Billy Gouger suggested the board set a firm date for the interviews because "that has to be open to the public."

"Even though it's not a voting meeting, it still has to be open to the public in order for the board to be assembled to meet with prospective candidates," he said.

The board set July 26 as a deadline for submissions to city hall.

The interviews will take place on July 30, but no time for those meetings was provided.

The selected individual will be appointed and sworn in at the board's next regular meeting on Aug. 13.

Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.

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