|
Commissioners Receive Notice Sheriff Banks to Retire Yancey County Commissioners have been notified by Sheriff Kermit Banks that he is retiring from his office as Sheriff of Yancey County effective midnight December 31, 2009. Sheriff Banks notified County Commission Chairman Walter Savage by certified letter dated December 16, 2009 of his retirement plans and the Chairman called a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners for Monday, December 21.
At the meeting on Monday, Chairman Savage presented Commissioners Jerri Storie and Johnny Riddle with the Sheriff's letter. Sheriff Banks, who attended the meeting with Chief Deputy Sheriff Gary Banks, was recognized and advised the Commissioners that he felt now was the time to retire and spend more time with his family. Sheriff Banks began his career in the Sheriff's Office as a deputy under his father, the late Donald Banks in 1966. He became Sheriff when his father died in 1969. Sheriff Banks has served continuously as Yancey County Sheriff except for one term from 1986 to 1990.
North Carolina General Statute §162-5.1 sets forth the steps Commissioners must follow when there is a vacancy in the office of Sheriff. Since the office of Coroner was abolished in Yancey County in 1989, the Chief Deputy Sheriff carries out the duties of sheriff until the county Board of Commissioners elects the new sheriff. As the Sheriff is an elected position and he is a Republican, the executive committee of the Yancey County Republican Party has 30 days following Sheriff Banks resignation to submit their choice to fill the remainder of his term to the Commissioners. The Commission is bound by statute to elect the party executive committee's recommendation as Sheriff.
At their meeting, Commissioners authorized Chairman Savage to prepare and send a letter to the Yancey County Republican Party chairman advising him of the retirement of the sheriff and the requirement of 30 days to submit a recommendation to the Commissioners. The Commissioners also authorized the Chairman to prepare and send a letter to Sheriff Banks acknowledging receipt and acceptance of his retirement and thanking him for this service and dedication to the citizens of Yancey County. Both letters were sent by registered mail on Monday following the meeting. Commissioners will address this vacancy upon receiving a response for a recommendation.
|