County commissioners elect new school board member

Jan. 19– Real estate businessman Justin Johnson was elected to the Hardin County Board of Education Tuesday night.

Members of the Hardin County Commission narrowly chose Johnson over rival candidate Richie Blakney by a vote of 11-9, with 11 votes needed to win.

Johnson replaces longtime District 3 school board member Mike Pitts, who died last September following a lengthy illness.

 

Voting for Johnson were Commissioners Gary Combs, Fred McFalls, Darren Howard, David Childers, Nickie Cagle, Wally Hamilton, Thomas Smith, Larry Byrd, Emery White, Jim Berry and Mike Fowler.

Voting for Blakney were Commissioners Adam Coleman, Roger Jenkins, Vicky Cotner, Charles Holloway, David Channell, Jimmy Grisham, Mike Jerrolds, Jonas Morris and Boyce Bain.

In December, with Bain absent from the monthly meeting and the same candidates nominated from the floor, commissioners had stalemated on the issue, voting 10-9 in favor of Johnson.