Heard County board appoints Jerry Ann Conner as county attorney in 4-1 vote

Chairman Lee Boone on Jan. 24 recommended Jerry Ann Conner to serve as Heard County’s county attorney for 2013 after receiving a resignation letter from the previous county attorney, Jeff Todd. Boone said he had worked with Conner previously and read a supporting letter from Judge Bledsoe.

Several local officials spoke in favor of Conner’s appointment. Johnny Kistler of the Board of Tax Assessors, Alvin Ginn of the Heard County Water Authority Board, Bryan Owensby (Clerk of Superior Court), Sandra Nolen (Tax Commissioner), Brenda Jennings (Chief Magistrate Judge), Julie Pope (director, Heard County Development Authority) and Kathie Buchanan (Coroner) each told the board they supported her appointment.

On a motion by Commissioner Gwen Caldwell, seconded by Commissioner Jacob Cammon, the board voted to appoint Conner as county attorney for 2013. Commissioners Frank Crook, Gwen Caldwell, Jacob Cammon and Larry Hooks voted yes; Commissioner Sandi Allen voted no. The motion passed 4 to 1.

Commissioner Allen told the board she had "no personal views in this situation" but stated she was not in support of the appointment. Chairman Boone did not announce additional conditions tied to the appointment during the meeting.

Next steps: the board recorded the vote and continued with other organizational business; no further action on the county attorney appointment was recorded in the meeting minutes.