As if Calhoun politics needed any help for confusion, today may have been the icing on the cake.
Calhoun County Commission’s Tuesday, May 16th meeting was scheduled for the purpose of re-appointing Nathan Allison as Calhoun County Sheriff after an error in language for the first appointment on Monday, May 8, 2023 stated that he was being appointed as interim Sheriff. The meeting began at 8:00 a.m. with Commission President Matt Walker getting right to business with an explanation of why the reappointment was necessary, then quickly making the nomination for Nathan Allison to fill the unexpired term of Calhoun County Sheriff. But before the vote, audience member Tony Arthur haled the Commission to allow Nathan Allison and Commissioner Craig Arthur to speak.
Commissioner Arthur addressed the citizens, saying that he wanted to further explain that he had recused himself from voting for Nathan Allison as Sheriff because Nathan was his business partner and friend.
Following Arthur, Natha’n Allison stood to address the citizens. He told those in attendance that although it was upsetting, he understood why the process of his re-appointment was necessary. With that being said, he went on to explain that he had researched the procedure for voting, and because he and Craig Arthur were business partners in A&A Monuments, Arthur would not be able to vote about any matter having to do with the Calhoun Sheriff’s Office as long as he was Sheriff. He did not want to prohibit any commissioner from being able to vote on matters that arise with regard to county business. “We all see what kind of mess it’s in,” he said, “I think everyone on the commission should be able to vote to fix the issues at hand right now.” He then informed the Commission that he regretfully decided to take his name from further consideration for the position. He didn’t want to make that decision, but felt that it was in the best interest of the County. In closing he said, “My decision was mine, and mine alone. It was not tied to any political party and I’m kind of sick and tired of the division that our county is in right now. It’s disgusting. It’s gross. We wonder why people don’t stay, I don’t think it’s the jobs, I think it’s the politics. I think there are good jobs that are pretty close. I know it’s been kind of sparse here, there and yonder, but for the most part I think it’s politics that drive people out of here. I encourage everyone to stop blindly following one party or another but think about what’s best for the community.”
As Nathan sat down, Commissioner Walker took back over the meeting and Commissioner Arthur quickly nominated Graham Knight to fill the unexpired tern of Sheriff, followed by the second of Commissioner Walker. A slightly off kilter Commissioner Walker then made a motion to adjourn but was reminded they had not voted. The vote on Graham Knight to fill the unexpired term of Sheriff was then taken with Arthur and Walker both voting “yay”, and Commissioner Helmick voting “nay.”
Graham Knight spoke to the press following adjournment saying:
“I would like to thank the Calhoun County Commission for this opportunity, I want to thank Commissioners Matt Walker and Craig Arthur for appointing me, and I think it goes without saying there was some integrity and courage this morning from Nathan Allison. I want to acknowledge what it took for him to get up and look everyone in the eye and say what he said. It took guts for him to allow what happened.”
Knight will take office at the end of Carl Ballengee’s interim term of May 31st, 2023.
