The Lincoln County Board of Supervisors gathered for the year’s first meeting Tuesday, welcoming three new members to its ranks.

District 2 Supervisor Jerry McGehee was defeated after a single term by Keith Lewis, the former City of Brookhaven Public Works director. Two others supervisors — C.E. “Eddie” Brown, District 3, and Nolan Earl Williamson, District 4 — retired at the close of 2023. Williamson served 24 years as a supervisor for the county. Brown served 16 years.

They were replaced by newly-elected John David Hart and Eli Ferguson, respectively.

District 1 Supervisor Rev. Jerry Wilson and District 5 Supervisor Doug Falvey were reelected to their seats.

As the first order of new business Tuesday, the board re-appointed Falvey as its president for a second term, and appointed Lewis as vice-president. 

Lewis has more than 30 years experience in the public works and utilities industry. During his campaign, Lewis said fiscal responsibility and road maintenance were the most pressing issues for the office.

“I will put my put my 30 years of experience in the public utilities industry to work to make sure your tax dollars are spent wisely. I will assess road and bridge conditions regularly and maintain each of them accordingly,” he said. “I have a servant’s heart. I have always desired to hold the Office of Supervisor so as to put my skills and knowledge to use for the county.”

Hart identified economic growth and infrastructure as his primary concerns for the county.

“The key to economic growth is providing a skilled workforce. I currently serve on the Career Technical Education Advisory Committee for Lincoln County Board of Education, which has been working to improve our technical training in our county high schools. I (will) also work with our local community colleges to help promote training programs to help attract industry and businesses,” said Hart. “As far as infrastructure, I would begin to correct the shoulders and clean out ditches to get the water off the roadways, which would make our roads safer and protect the integrity of our roadways. My years of experience of dirt construction would be beneficial in repairing our roads and keeping our roads safe.”

Ferguson said he is committed to working with the people for the betterment of the community. He said “finding money and managing money” were key to this endeavor.

“There is never enough money to take care of all the needs so I believe it is my duty to search for and tap into any streams of revenue available to our district. I must very consciously and responsibly use the financial means at my disposal,” Ferguson said. “I will, along with advice from knowledgeable resources, such as the county engineer, maintain a plan to manage all road and bridge projects.”