My family and I have lived in District 9 for 15 years now. We love and know the people and are active in and around the district and Hamilton County as a whole. District 9 is the fastest growing district in our county.
Last week, the current County Commissioners had two qualified candidates up for appointment. First was Dean Moorhouse, a lifelong advocate for District 9 and a man that our community knows and respects and is confident that he will represent our best interests. After growing a successful healthcare business of his own he sold the business and continued donating time, work hours and funds to our district community and schools.
The second candidate was Shannon Stephenson, the youngest nominee, who brought outstanding credentials and a passion to serve. The commission failed our district by refusing to appoint either of those candidates.
There were other very impressive candidates all vying for the position but the Commission passed Moorhouse and Stephenson through to a second vote. I know for a fact that the commission has heard overwhelming support for Dean Moorhouse because the community knows him personally. The commission has not received anywhere near the magnitude of support for any of the other candidates and, yet, the commission has decided to open the floor back up for nominations when the two most qualified candidates are set in front of them now.
I want to tell you two here, and I will tell the commission tomorrow at the meeting, that what the people of my district want is the man that has been fighting for our district for a long time to be able to get the appointment because he has proven his devotion to the people and the district.
Erika Ballard