West sells local property, resigns from school board

    Murphy – Although his position as a member of the Cherokee County Board of Education was questioned during a public hearing on May 20, Tim West already resigned hours earlier.
    West resigned in an email to board Chairman Jeff Tatham sent at 12:01 p.m.
    “It has been a pleasure for me to be a part of the Cherokee County School Board for the last several years” West wrote. “With great respect for the fellow board members, our superintendent and her wonderful staff, and most importantly our students, I respectfully resign my seat in the Cherokee County School Board. This is effective today, May 20th.
    “Heartfelt, much love and respect to all. We love company. Please visit us.”
    West called Cherokee County Republican Party Chairman Bennie Jo McKinnon that afternoon to inform her of his decision. He told her he made the decision to resign that day because he was unable to attend that night’s hearing or next week’s board meeting due to work commitments.
    West sold his property in Andrews a couple of months ago. He had been looking at purchasing another property in the area but ultimately decided not to, McKinnon said.
    “He’s worked in Georgia for years and has had an apartment down there for forever,” she said.
    When he was first selling his property, West contacted McKinnon to determine if he had to resign from his position if he no longer lived in the area. She contacted the North Carolina GOP, and its lawyer informed her that technically he only had to live in the district when elected to the position.
    McKinnon said the executive board of the Cherokee County Republican Party must meet within 30 days to appoint someone to fill West’s District 1 seat on the board of education. Since the seat is up for election in November and James “Jaybird” Ellis is running unopposed, she plans are to appoint him to the position.
    West is a fifth-generation Andrews native and U.S. Air Force veteran. He was appointed to the school board in 2002 after Keith Lovin was elected sheriff and had to resign from the school board. He was not re-elected in 2006, but won one of the two District 1 seats in 2016.
    During the public hearing on May 20, one point in Ben Wilson’s written statement to the school board was that one board member was living outside of the county.