WALTHALL – David Gore took office 1½ months early as Webster County's new sheriff after being sworn into office Nov. 18.
He took the oath of office at the Courthouse after the Board of Supervisors accepted the resignation of Andy McCants as sheriff effective immediately.
McCants, who is retiring, tendered his resignation in a letter submitted to the board during that morning’s recessed meeting. “It is my sincere hope that the duly elected sheriff be designated to serve the remainder of the year,” he stated in the letter.
The board did just that afterwards, voting unanimously “to appoint and hire Sheriff-elect David Gore to the office of sheriff of Webster County effective immediately to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Sheriff Andy McCants.” Randy Rico (District 3) made the motion to do so and Paul Crowley (District 4) seconded his motion.
Chancery Clerk Russ Turner administered the oath of office to Gore upstairs in the main courtroom upon receipt of the new sheriff’s surety bond, with supervisors, family members and friends witnessing the swearing-in ceremony.
Gore, of Hohenlinden, retired last year after serving 35 years as a game warden in the county. He was elected sheriff in the Nov. 5 general election and will have to be sworn in again in January, along with others elected to office for the next four-year term.
McCants served as acting sheriff and then sheriff following the arrest of the former elected sheriff, Tim Mitchell, 11 months ago on multiple felony charges. Mitchell pleaded guilty in June to four counts of embezzling weapons and trafficking them, and was forced to resign. He received a 15-year prison sentence in July.
“It has been my great honor to serve the citizens of Webster County as their sheriff,” McCants wrote in his letter of resignation. “ I have had the pleasure of leading an outstanding group of loyal deputies, jailers and staff through a difficult time. They have all performed their duties admirably.”
Crowley, addressing Gore later in the boardroom, pledged the board's support and said he hoped they could work together to make a "tremendous difference" in law enforcement in the county.
“I’m excited about being here,” Gore replied, adding that he wanted to help the county move forward.
Board President Pat Cummings, at the conclusion of the meeting, led those present in a special prayer for Gore, in addition to others with health issues.
Other Business
In other business Nov. 18, the Board of Supervisors approved motions to:
• enter into a contract for professional geographical information systems services with the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District to redraw all Webster County tax parcels in a digital environment and store them in a geodatabase. The compensation for these services is $90,000 to be paid $5,000 down and $3,500 per month except $4,500 the final month.
• hire Donna Lightell as a deputy tax assessor effective immediately.
• allow Justice Court Clerk Lisa Dean and Deputy Clerk Lauren Rushing to attend Data Systems Management ProntoCOURT Basic Training Dec. 16 and 19 (one day each) in Clinton.
• amend the 2019-20 budget for a net decrease of 0.002 mills because of rounding issues.
• pay attorney Buchanan Meek Jr. the sum of $300 for a title opinion on an Emergency Road and Bridge Repair project on Lollars Grove Road, to be paid out of the ERBR Fund.
• allow and direct District 2 road hands to go upon the property of Darleen Busby in Walthall to fill an abandoned well because it constitutes a health and safety hazard.
• recess until 8:30 a.m. Nov. 29.
