Politics

Lapsley elected chair as commissioners honor Hawkins

Outgoing County Commissioner Grady Hawkins accepts congratulations from Bill Lapsley, who replaces him as chair of the Board of Commissioners.

By Bill Moss, Published: December 8, 2020

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners elected Bill Lapsley chair and Rebecca McCall vice chair and two new commissioners took the oath of office for four-year terms during the board's organizational meeting on Monday night. Commissioners also honored Grady Hawkins, who retired after serving on the board for four terms.

Lapsley, a retired civil engineer, was first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. McCall was elected in 2018.
Sworn in were Daniel Andreotta, who was appointed to fill the seat that became vacant when five-term Commissioner Charlie Messer died, and David Hill, who won election to the seat that Hawkins vacated.
The new board honored Hawkins with a resolution, plaque, a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol and given by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis and other gifts.

County Manager Steve Wyatt was unable to attend.
"He had a covid-positive member of his family, his daughter living with him, and he wanted very much to be here tonight," Lapsley said.

In brief remarks, Hawkins praised Wyatt's leadership for the community.

"Any time during the weekdays and the weekend, there's a lot of activity going on in the county," Hawkins said. The sheriff's office and EMS  are responding to calls while many other tasks are under way broadly unknown to the public. "The synergy that's created from all that is the people that's on the Henderson County team. At the center of all that I think ends up being the county manager and we are fortunate to have Steve Wyatt be our county manager.

"The board of commissioners, I've enjoyed working with all of you," he said. "Over the years I think I've worked with probably more than a half dozen different commissioners and I think one of the keys of success is the commissioners come from a wide variety of diverse backgrounds and they bring that experience to the board."

He thanked his wife, Doris, whom he called "a secret weapon, not so secret," who has served as gatekeeper, supporter and adviser. One example of her unheralded work: "She found out we didn't have a flag and next thing I know Henderson County had a flag that Doris designed."