Lincoln County supervisors appointed SherryJordan interim circuit clerk Friday afternoon following Terry LynnWatkins’ resignation from the office.

    Jordan was sworn into office by Circuit Court Judge Mike Taylorimmediately following her appointment. Jordan will serve as circuitclerk until a special election determines the officeholder for theremainder of Watkins’ unfinished term.

    Jordan, a deputy clerk, has worked in the circuit clerk’s officesince 1996.

    “It’s been a difficult situation,” Jordan said Friday, declining toprovide further comment.

    Watkins’ resignation came as part of a plea bargain to avoid atrial on embezzlement charges that was scheduled to begin Monday.The plea bargain allowed Watkins to plea to a misdemeanor chargebut required her to resign from office and agree to never seekpublic office again.

    The supervisors appointed Jordan in a called meeting held followingWatkins’ plea.

    Chancery Clerk Tillmon Bishop said a special election to fill thecircuit clerk’s office post will occur in November on the firstTuesday after the first Monday. The special election thus willoccur alongside the presidential and congressional elections andthe county will not have to pay for an unscheduled election.

    Jordan told the board of supervisors she will not seek election tothe office, said board president and District Three SupervisorNolan Williamson. He said that commitment by Jordan provided a goodreason to appoint her.

    “If you appoint someone and they run, then you got a group asking’Why did you give this person a heads up?'” Williamson said.

    Williamson also pointed to Jordan’s experience in the office.

    “She was in house,” Williamson said. “She knows the ropes.”

    Discussion of an appointment and the board’s interview with Jordanwas held in executive session.

    Prior to the board’s closed discussion, several Lincoln Countyresidents appeared before the board to express their concerns overthe process.

    District 53 Rep. Becky Currie urged the board to appoint DustinBairfield rather than an employee of the circuit clerk’soffice.

    Bairfield ran against Watkins for the office in last year’s generalelection.

    Watkins, a Democrat, defeated the Republican Bairfield with 53.42percent of the vote to Bairfield’s 46.33 percent. Watkins received6,631 votes and Bairfield 5,751 votes.

    “I think what we need is a set of new eyes and new ears,” Currietold the board.

    Johnny Perkins echoed Currie’s concerns.

    “We need to get a replacement that restores the integrity of theoffice,” Perkins said.

    Currie also questioned the immediacy of the appointment. Shesuggested the board postpone a decision until Monday, givingLincoln County residents an opportunity to call their supervisorsover the weekend.

    However, board attorney Bob Allen said after consulting with thestate Attorney General it was determined there could be no void inthe position.

    “At 5:01, we had to have a person in that office,” Williamson said,referring to the fact that Watkins’ resignation became effective at5 p.m. Friday.

    Following the executive session, District Four Supervisor EddieBrown made a motion that Jordan be named interim clerk. DistrictTwo Supervisor Jimmy Diamond seconded the motion, and it passedunanimously.

    Jordan told the board she will take steps to ensure oversight inthe office, Williamson said.

    “An outside auditor is going to come in, check all the books makesure everything is straight,” Williamson. “That’s what Sherry toldus: to clear the air, start fresh, get someone else in therelooking.”

    Williamson said no appointment would have resolved the issue toeveryone’s satisfaction.

    “(Friday) the supervisors were on the hot seat and everyone hastheir wants,” Williamson said. “You’re going to make this one mador this one mad.”