by Gerald Ochs

by Gerald Ochs

Rappahannock News Staff Writer

The process of selecting a temporary replacement for the Jackson District School Board seat vacated by Rebecca Cordani came to an end at Tuesday night's School Board meeting. By a vote of three to one, the Board chose to appoint Wesley Mills over Ron Makela, who had served on the previous School Board hut failed to win reelection last year.

There appeared to be a great reluctance by the Board to make any selection. Aileen Johnson said that it was a hard decision and "that I could work with either one." Franklin Warner too expressed reservationahe said that it was difficult and thdf; he "would rather be somewhere else.", He then noted that he had received and logged in 32 calls from Jackson District residents, and that they were "overwhelmingly in favor of Mr. Mills." He said that he did not have a good understanding of the Jackson District and felt uncomfortable making a decision on behalf of Jackson District residents, "but my inclination would be to follow that (the choice reflected in the telephone calls)." He also suggested that an appointment of Mr. Mills would give Jackson District residents an opportunity to see his effectiveness before the Nov. 7 special election, at which time they would have a choice of voting for him or Mr. Makela.

Mrs. Johnson also reported that

j-..the__calls she received favored the appointment of Mr. Mills, but Mr. Makela later remarked that he had not promoted a call-in campaign and, to be fair, the Board should consider the more than 100 signatures to his petition for the School Board seat.

Rosa Ann Sharp said that she would choose to forgo making an appointment and "let the judge decide,” referring to the fact that the Circuit Court would make the temporary School Board appointment should the School Board fail to make a selection within 45 days of the vacancy.

See BOARD, Page A8

Gray Ghost

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two gold

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