Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) — The Harrison County Board of Supervisors has appointed John Johnson, a long-time Harrison County School Board member, to fill the District 4 seat for the remainder of former Supervisor William Martin's term.
Johnson was chosen Monday on a 3-1 vote.
The Sun Herald reports (http://bit.ly/1986sOF ) he was sworn in by Judge Carter Bise.
"The time has come to turn the page, restore public trust, move forward and work together as a team for the economic growth of Harrison County, our employees and the people we serve," Johnson said after the meeting.
Johnson is filling the seat vacated by Martin, who held the position since 1999. Martin committed suicide on Feb. 26, the same day he was to appear in court on federal charges of bribery and obstruction of justice.
Johnson, who will serve the county's only predominantly minority district, became the first black elected official to a Harrison County office when he won his school board seat in 1983. He served on the school board for 29 years and is retired from Mississippi Power Co.
At his first meeting as a supervisor, Johnson listened to, rather than participated, in discussions though he did second a few motions.
At the end of the session he thanked the supervisors for appointing him.
Johnson will not run for Martin's seat in this November's election. The board deliberately sought a replacement who did not intend to be on the ballot in November.
Thirteen people have qualified to run for the District 4 seat in November.
___
Information from: The Sun Herald, http://www.sunherald.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
