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Cathy Davis, Executive Director of the Lincoln Cultural Center, has a new job.  Davis, who also serves as a Lincoln County commissioner, will now be the chair of that board.  It's likely that she will serve as Commission Chair until the first Monday in December.  That's when three new commissioners will take office and the board will elect a new chair & vice chair.

The other four commissioners voted Wednesday (May 1st) to remove previous chair Carrol Mitchem from the chairmanship.  The action was taken in a special called session. Two weeks ago, the commissioners voted to change their policy and created a new one that allows a majority of the board to remove a chair or vice chair by a vote of 'no confidence.'  

Before the decision to replace Mitchem, he made a lengthy address to those in attendance.  County Public Affairs Director Vanessa Leon said the meeting, which was viewable on the County website as it happened, was recorded, and video including Mitchem's remarks can be seen online by late in the day Thursday (May 2nd).

Commissioner Bud Cesena detailed the reasons for the 'no confidence' vote before making the motion to remove Mitchem from the chairmanship.  

Cesena said he had no interest in becoming the chair and nonimated Davis for the position.  Mitchem then nominated Commissioner Jamie Lineberger.  Cesena, Lineberger, and Anita McCall voted for Davis.  Davis and Mitchem voted for Lineberger and Davis became the new chair.  

Cesena will continue to serve as vice chair.  Mitchem will no longer be chair, but will remain on the board of commissioners until December.  He and Anita McCall lost in the March GOP Primary; Davis didn't run for re-election.  Former commissioner Alex Patton, school board member Mark Mullen, and Trent Carpenter, a deputy and former firefighter will take office after they are officially elected in November.  

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