GATESVILLE – The Gates County Board of Commissioners has a new chairman and vice-chairman.

As is tradition at the first meeting in December the commissioners elect their leaders for the next 12 months. In a departure from a split vote on that leadership as noted over the past few years, this time the board was in complete agreement on both selections.

In separate 5-0 votes on Monday morning (Dec. 3), Henry Jordan was elected as Commission Chairman and Jack Owens as Vice Chairman. Jordan previously served as chairman in his first year on the board (2008) and was the reigning Vice Chairman.

Jordan was nominated by Owens. Kenneth Jernigan nominated Owens for the vice-chair position.

Graham Twine had served the previous three years as Chairman. Twine was defeated in the May Democratic Primary for the Hobbsville seat on the board by Linda Hofler, who went on to defeat Republican challenger Sidney Pierce III in November’s General Election.

Prior to the Chairman/Vice Chairman vote, Diane Hendrix, Clerk to the Board, administered the oath of office to Hofler and Jordan.

“I would like to thank the citizens of Gates County for giving me the honor and the privilege of serving as their commissioner,” Hofler stated. “I recognize that we have different life experiences and diverse opinions. I see that as a positive for the county. I understand that we will not always agree on every issue. However, the key to our successful growth and prosperity is that everyone and their ideas be treated with respect. I believe that we will be able to build a consensus of opinion on the board and with the citizens of the county if this guiding principle is followed.”

Jordan said he was also thankful for the opportunity to serve.

“Thank you to the citizens of this county for allowing me the privilege of serving for another four years,” he said. “I attribute my success to the citizens of Gates County. I didn’t do it, we did it and I will do my utmost to ensure that Gates County will be the best it can be.”