McALESTER — Pittsburg County commissioners have appointed Hope Trammell to serve as interim Pittsburg County clerk until a special election is held next year. District 2 Commissioner Kevin Smith made the motion to appoint Trammel, seconded by District 3 Commissioner Ronnie Young, and both voted in favor of the measure during the commissioners’ regular Monday morning meeting at the Pittsburg Count Courthouse.
District 1 Commissioner Gene Rogers missed the meeting because he was attending a funeral, according to Smith. Trammell is a longtime employee of the county clerk’s office, rising to the post of first deputy. She replaces former Pittsburg County Clerk Janice Barker, who resigned from the office, effective last Thursday.
Barker said she resigned the post for health reasons, based upon the recommendation of her physician. After appointing Trammell, Commissioners Young and Smith passed a resolution setting a special election for the county clerk’s position next year, on the same ballot with other county and state offices which will be up for election in 2014.
Filing period for candidates seeking the Pittsburg County clerk’s office will run from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on April 9-11, 2014 at the Pittsburg County Election Board office in McAlester. A primary election for the office is set June 24, 2014. A run-off election, if needed, is scheduled for Aug. 26, 2014, with a general election, if needed, set for Nov. 4, 2014.
Trammell, who as first deputy of the county clerk’s office attended the meeting to serve as secretary for the proceedings, spoke of her appointment after the meeting ended. She told of her appreciation for the commissioners “Having the confidence in me that I can do the job.”
Smith and Young spoke of their reasons for appointing Trammell to the county clerk’s position. “I looked at the years she’s served and decided she was most qualified,” Smith said. He said he felt she’s the best person for the job. Smith said Trammell has been efficient in fulfilling the duties of the clerk when Barker has been ill. Young, who is the current commission chairman, agreed.
“She’s done a good job,” he said. Trammell said she’s worked in the county clerk’s office for 18 and one/half years. “I started in the vault with the land records and I’ve been doing the purchase side for a little over 15 years; I’ve worked in every aspect of the office,” Trammell said.
She expected a smooth transition. “The office will run just like it has been,” she said. “We have a very smooth-running office. I don’t see any significant changes.”Trammell said she will be a candidate for the office during next year’s special election.
Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.com.
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