Read more: Local, State, Politics, Scotland, County, Presiding, Commissioner, Appointed, Harris
MEMPHIS, MO. -- The newest face on the Scotland County Commission is set to officially take office next week.
On Thursday, Governor Jay Nixon appointed Charles "Chipper" Harris of Memphis the new Scotland County Presiding Commissioner.
The 62-year-old has run Harris Motor Company in Memphis since the late ‘60s. Harris told KTVO Friday his new job will keep him busy.
"County commissioners have basically the responsibility to oversee a lot of things, not necessarily impose their will in certain areas, but to at least ask questions, look and see how things are done, and help the other elected officials and everybody else within the community to keep things on an even keel,” said Harris.
Harris will fill the unexpired term of 23-year veteran commissioner, Mike Stephenson.
That term runs out at the end of 2010.
Harris has big plans to carry out in his new position.
"Hopefully, you know, we can figure out a way to keep Scotland County viable and make it a good place to live so we can experience growth, provide employment and a way for people to continue to exist in small town Missouri,” said Harris.
Mike Stephenson announced his resignation in early August following a heated exchange with a Scotland County resident over the county's health ordinance regulating concentrated animal feeding operations(CAFOS).
We asked Harris his thoughts on the newly imposed CAFO ordinance.
"It was pretty much, based on my way of thinking, exactly what we needed. It dealt with what needed to be dealt with to protect our people, and I commend (the county commissioners) for what they did," said Harris.
Harris is expected to be sworn in early next week.
Below is the press release from the Governor's office:
Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Charles E. “Chipper” Harris, Jr., of Memphis, as presiding commissioner for Scotland County Thursday. The position became vacant upon the resignation of Mike Stephenson.
Harris, 62, is the manager and vice president of Harris Motor Co. He is a former member of the Scotland County R-1 school board, has served on several municipal boards and served on the Northeast Missouri Advisory Council to the Missouri Board of Health. Harris has been active in several community and civic groups in Memphis and Scotland County, including Rotary, Jaycees and Little League.
“Chipper Harris has taken an active leadership role in Memphis and Scotland County for decades,” Gov. Nixon said. “The people of this area know and respect him, and I am confident he will serve them well as their presiding commissioner.”
