Vacancy delayed to May 21

With the passing of Sweetwater County Commissioner Don Van Matre Thursday morning, the county commissioners will need to declare his position vacant.

However, the commissioners decided to wait until their May 21 meeting to make that declaration.

Chairman Wally Johnson said he wanted to give the Sweetwater County Republicans as much time as possible to find qualified candidates for the remainder of Van Matre’s term.

“It’s a big responsibility,” he said.

According to John Deleon, deputy Sweetwater County attorney, the commissioners have 20 days to declare a vacancy on the board. Because Van Matre was a Republican, the Sweetwater County GOP will be tasked with forwarding three candidates to the commissioners to fill the rest of Van Matre’s term. After that declaration is made and submitted to the Sweetwater County GOP in writing, the central committee for the Sweetwater GOP has 20 days to forward the names of three candidates to the commissioners.

Teresa Richards, chairwoman of the Sweetwater County GOP, said the central committee is still working out details, but said the process will involve interested Republican residents campaigning to be nominated through a vote made by the county GOP’s precinct committeemen and committeewomen.

After the Sweetwater GOP submits the list of candidates to the commissioners, the commissioners have another 20 days determine Van Matre’s successor. If the commissioners are unable to do so, the decision is then made by a district court judge. This has happened in the past.

After Sweetwater County Commissioner Joe Oldfield died in 2008, Johnson and Commissioner Debby Dellai-Boese were unable to decide on a successor to Oldfield, forcing the issue into district court. District Court Judge Nena James ultimately named Randy Walker to fill the remainder of Oldfield’s term.

“The same thing could happen here,” Johnson said. “I really hope not ... It’s not in our best interests.”

Van Matre served as a county commissioner since 2010 after being appointed to fill the remainder of Paula Wonnacott’s term when she resigned.