A Carter County Commissioner is challenging committee appointments approved during the Commission’s September meeting that removed the commissioner from a committee.

On Monday, Commissioner Charles Von Cannon gave a letter to Acting Financial Management Committee Chairman Commissioner Danny Ward asking for a review of appointments to that committee made on Sept. 18. Von Cannon had been a member of the Financial Management Committee prior to the Sept. 18 meeting but was not voted back to the committee. The Elizabethton Star obtained a copy of this letter through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

“Due to a Hearing Problem and the inability to understand the Newly elected Commission Chairman, I — Charles D. Von Cannon, representing the 3rd District was unaware of a vote being taken to Replace me on the Financial Management Committee,” Von Cannon said in the later, dated Oct. 2. “At the time of the nominating and the vote, it was already known that the hearing and understanding of the new Chairman of the Commission existed in my case as well as other Commissioners and those in the audience.”

“I am asking for a review of this action including who nominated my replacement as well as why someone did not ask me if I wanted to continue as a member of the Financial Management Committee,” Von Cannon continued.

Each year during September, the Commission votes to select a chairman and vice chairman as well as to set committee appointments.

During vote for the whole Commission to ratify the standing committee appointments Von Cannon spoke out regarding his difficulty hearing.

“I didn’t hear so I was asking,” Von Cannon said after asking Acuff to repeat the motion. “Some of you have criticized me for not being able to hear but I spent my time, I spent my time losing my hearing so you could have your free of speech. Now I expect as a commissioner to either have some help or I’ll just sit here and pass.”

Prior to the Sept. 18 meeting, Von Cannon was one of four commissioners serving on the Financial Management Committee with Carter County Mayor Leon Humphrey, Director of Carter County Schools Dr. Kevin Ward, and Carter County Road Superintendent Roger Colbaugh. The other three commissioners were Bobbie Gouge-Dietz, Danny Ward, and Ray Lyons.

During the Sept. 18 meeting, Lyons, who had been Chairman of the committee, announced he was resigning from the committee.

Commission Chairman Dr. Robert Acuff opened the floor for nominations to fill the four seats on the Financial Management Committee.

Lyons nominated Commissioner Randall Jenkins for a seat. Commissioner Buford Peters nominated Gouge-Dietz. Commissioner Sonja Culler nominated Brad Johnson. Commissioner Ronnie Trivett nominated Ward. Commissioner Timothy Holdren nominated Commissioner Ross Garland, but Garland withdrew his name from consideration.

Acuff asked if there were any more nominations and none were made so the Commission voted to close nominations.

Since there were four commissioners nominated to fill the four spots, the Commission voted to appoint those four to the seats. When the votes were counted, the results were 22-1. Von Cannon cast the sole dissenting vote against approving the appointments. Commissioner Scott Simerly was absent from the meeting.

After receiving a copy of Von Cannon’s letter, the Elizabethton Star contacted Acuff and he said based on the letter the Commission would discuss the appointment issue during the governing body’s meeting on Oct. 16. A meeting of the Financial Management Committee had been set for Oct. 4 but Ward said he cancelled that meeting so the Von Cannon’s concern could be addressed.