The evening of Monday, Feb. 10, saw a packed courtroom in Jackson County as residents gathered to witness the appointment of their new mayor. The community continues to mourn the loss of Mayor Randy Heady, and will for some time, but the business of the county moves forward. Seven-teen commissioners were present, fourteen of whom were eligible to vote. The meeting focused on the election of a new leader from four nominees.
The nominees for mayor were Jim Morgan, former EMS Director with over 25 years of service; Jackie Meadows, Flynn Lick Volunteer Fire Department Chief and Jackson County native; Doug Stafford, also a Jackson County native with 20 years at J&S and many years at Ross Gears; and John Dean, owner of Honest John’s and Wildwood Resort and Marina, whose wife owns Miss Sallies.
Each candidate was given three to five minutes to address the commissioners, followed by a question-and-answer session. Two questions were posed to all candidates: their dedication to the full-time role of mayor, and their views on establishing a planning and zoning committee. All candidates pledged their full commitment to the position (with one candidate noting a pre-planned three-week trip out of the country in July). There was also general agreement on the need for a planning and zoning committee, with emphasis on careful implementation.
Following the speeches and a question-and-answer session, the commissioners cast their votes. In the first round, John Dean received two votes, Jackie Meadows received three, Jim Morgan received eight, and Doug Stafford received one. With a majority of eight votes required, Jim Morgan was declared the new County Mayor.
Mayor Jim Morgan expressed his gratitude, stating, “Thank you for voting me in, thank you for your trust in me, and I will give my all to be the best Mayor I can be.”
The meeting concluded with heartfelt words from Joyce Heady, Mayor Randy Heady’s wife.
Speaking from her experience as the wife of both a commissioner and a mayor, she acknowledged the sacrifices made by the commissioners, noting the time spent away from families and jobs.
Joyce Heady said, “As the wife of a commissioner and a mayor I know the sacrifice of the time you all make, time away from your families, time away from your job, that’s your time, the giving of your valuable time, it is a selfish sacrifice for the most part a thank-less position but I for one want to thank each and every one of you.”
She expressed her gratitude for their dedication to the betterment of Jackson County. She recalled Randy Heady’s tireless efforts to improve the county, even in the face of setbacks and how the commissioners had supported him.
She continued, “While Randy was mayor, he was able to look at other avenues to make this County better. He would see things that wouldn’t work, and he would get turned down a lot, you all know this, you all know what he would go through and every time he was told no. Every one of you saw the time it took to get an answer from anyone to get anything done, but you stuck with him. I know a lot of you encouraged him and most, well probably all of you were behind him on one endeavor or another so again I want to thank you for that.”
She concluded by urging everyone to continue working together for the betterment of Jackson County, a sentiment she knew her late husband shared.
Joyce Heady said, “It is my sincerest gratitude and my hope that we continue to push forward as a collective people as a people who has come together to see the betterment of Jackson County. I know that is what Randy would want, and I know if he could tell you one last time Randy would say thank you so much for everything that you have done everything you are doing and everything you will continue to do to make Jackson County better than it’s ever been.”
