Oconee Commissioners Appoint Three Newcomers To Animal Services Advisory Board

Oconee County commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday night appointed three relative newcomers to issues facing the county’s Animal Shelter as members of the Animal Services Advisory Board.

In doing so, the commissioners turned down a request for reappointment by current Board member Claire Hamilton, who often has been outspoken in her criticism of the Shelter and its operation.

Commissioners also passed over Kimberly Keegan, long active as a volunteer at the Shelter, who had made her third application for appointment to the Advisory Board.

In appointing Mark Dawson, Audrey Ann Haynes and Walter Rhyne, the Commission could change radically the character of the five-member Advisory Board, as neither Chair Tom Beacorn no former Chair Susan Wells sought reappointment.

Commission Chair John Daniell announced at the beginning of the Board of Commissioners meeting that the Commission will hold a Town Hall meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. on April 13 at the Oconee County Civic Center on Hog Mountain Road.

Prior to the Commission meeting, the county held a public hearing on the procedures the county is following in revising its Comprehensive Plan.

For more on the story, go to Oconee County Observations.

Pictured: Commissioner Mark Saxon, Right, Makes Motion For Appointments, With Commissioners William Wilkes and Chuck Horton To His Right.