Complete Story
07/05/2018
Gary Abernathy, publisher and editor of The Times-Gazette, to leave position after being appointed to Highland County Commission
By Gary Abernathy, The Times-Gazette
On Monday, the Highland County Republican Central Committee voted to appoint me to the county board of commissioners to replace Shane Wilkin.
In separate votes, the committee voted to appoint me to serve the remainder of this year, as well as to appear on the ballot in November for the election to fill the remainder of Shane’s term through 2020. The Democratic Party will appoint a Democrat to appear on the November ballot as well (someone who I’m sure will be a strong candidate – I hope we do debates!).
There were other great Republicans for the committee to consider on Monday. During the interview process they put us all in a room in the basement of the county administration building – they politely call it a “lounge,” but it’s more of a storage room – so we all sat together for about three hours or so while, one by one, we went across the hall for the interviews, where all 31 members of the central committee listened to and questioned each candidate.
Rather than being uncomfortable or awkward together, there was an atmosphere of friendliness and good humor in the candidate holding room. The candidates agreed that the central committee’s process had been fair, thorough and equitable. Each of the candidates brought various qualities to the table, and I hope every one of them stays involved and puts their names forward again at some point for public service.
After nearly seven years back at The Times-Gazette, I had decided a while back that my time here was nearing an end, the main reason being nothing more than it was time for a change. When I first began considering what to do next, seeking public office — either by election or appointment — never entered my mind.
