Statement of Houston County Republican Executive Commmittee Chairman John Gormley

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 5537

Posted by: RStokes
Date: Jul 17 2014 12:59 PM

HOUSTON COUNTY:     Moments ago John Gormley,  Chairman of Houston County Republican Executive Committee, held a press conference concerning the appointment of Houston County Sheriff.

STATEMENT:

On Wednesday, July 16, 2014, Sheriff Andy Hughes held a press conference to notify the citizens of Houston County that he was tendering his resignation in order to take on a new role in law enforcement. We wish him well.

It now becomes the task of the Houston County Republican Executive Committee to screen candidates for sheriff and select one to have their name placed on the November ballot.

Accordingly, the executive committee will invite any person qualified to hold the office of Sheriff to submit a resume outlining the experience and qualifications they possess which they would like the committee to consider. We will accept those resumes until close of business on 24 JULY 2014.

Resumes can be emailed to me at [email protected] and they will be provided, in advance, to the executive committee members. I will be available to field any questions at 334-333-5646.

The committee will interview the potential candidates at our monthly meeting. It will be held Monday 28 JULY 2014 at the Holiday Inn at 2740 Ross Clark Circle, between Fortner Street and the Hartford Highway at 6 PM.

All persons submitting a resume will receive an email inviting them to speak at the executive committee meeting. After all candidates have spoken a person will be chosen, by secret ballot, to have their name placed on the ballot in November.

In reality, unless a person has a successful write-in campaign, the person selected by the Houston County Republican Executive Committee will be the next sheriff of Houston County.

END OF STATEMENT

In follow up questions, Houston County Sheriff Andy Hughes did not let the local Houston County Republican Executive Committee know he was resigning. Gormley said he did not know if the State party was aware.

Gormley was asked about contact with the Governor over the steps. He said a call was in to the Governor’s Appointment Office. The Governor is in Europe. Gormley intends to notify the Governor’s Office of the steps. He hopes the person appointed by the Governor as Sheriff will be the person selected by the Executive Committee. Gormley did point out the Governor was not obligated to follow their recommendation as to the appointed Sheriff.

Gormley was asked by a media member was there a “fix” in for a certain person to be selected. Gormley replied if there was a fix they have failed to notify him of that fix. He said a committee member called him this morning and requested resumes prior to the meeting in order to review the resumes.

Gormley was asked if he thought it as fair to the people of Houston County, that no one qualified for Sheriff because they were happy and satisfied with Andy Hughes as Sheriff. And now, with his resignation after all deadlines have passed, that a select  group of 65 or less people would make the decision for the Sheriff for the people for the next four years.

Gormley replied the laws are in place to cover the appointment and they have to follow the law.

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