Nine Cherokee County Republicans will select the next commissioner representing District 2, which includes Peachtree and Marble.
The seat was left vacant on Dec. 1, when Justin Hyde, who won the seat after defeating incumbent Randy Phillips in the GOP primary and running unopposed in the November General Election, turned down the seat.
Hyde, an EMT who works for Cherokee County, said he was forced to reject the seat or face losing his job over a potential conflict of interest. He could have sought an exception from the board, but only if his pay and benefits would be less than $60,000.
Because Hyde is a Republican, the Cherokee County Republican Party executive committee is responsible for picking his replacement. It is seeking applicants to fill the District 2 seat.
The Cherokee County GOP must fill this position within 30 days of when it became aware of the vacancy on Dec. 1. The party will submit its choice by Jan. 1, 2025, and the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will act on the referral at the board’s next meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6 at the Cherokee County Courthouse in Murphy.
If you reside in District 2 and wish to be considered, email cherokeecountyncgop11@gmail.com to request an application packet, If you haven't already received it after requesting it, check your spam folder for an email sent to all general members.
Submissions can also be sent via mail:
Cherokee County GOP
P.O. Box 361
Murphy, NC 28906
Complete the forms provided in the packet and submit them, along with your resume, by 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16.
Dallas McMillan, chairman of the executive committee, said he had received at least three applications as of Thursday.
Executive committee members who apply for the job, if any, will not be allowed to vote, he said
Applications will be reviewed on Tuesday and interviews will be conducted starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at the Senior Center, 69 Alpine St. in Murphy.Both meetings are executive committee work sessions and are closed to the public.
The public is invited to attend a special called meeting of the executive committee at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at Peachtree Community Center, 125 Memory Lane in Peachtree.
Candidates will be revealed at that meeting and given two minutes to make statements, but there will be no discussion from the floor, as is customary in executive committee meetings.
Following the candidates' presentations, the committee will enter a closed session to vote, then come out of executive session to announce their decision.
The selected candidate for the District 2 Commissioner seat will be announced immediately after the vote.
If you have any questions, reach out to any member of the Cherokee County GOP Executive Committee via the Cherokee County GOP website.
Committee members are:
- Dallas McMillan, Chair, Unaka – dalmcm@frontier.com
- Karen C. Close, Vice Chair, Grape Creek – karencccr11@gmail.com
- Gaye Mathis, Secretary, Topton – gayemathis7@gmail.com
- Ginger Hatchett, Treasurer, Murphy South – ghatchett@proton.me
- Madison Adamovich, Member at Large, Topton –madisondaune01@gmail.com
- Mark A. Kephart, Member at Large, Murphy – northmkephart1966@yahoo.com
- Ronnie Ledford, Member at Large, Hot House – ronald.ledford@gmail.com
- Jonathan McNabb Member at Large, Hiwassee Dam – jonathan.mcnabb34@gmail.com
- Alex Parker, Member at Large, Peachtree – aparkerceope@yahoo.com
Below, declaration of vacancy
