BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
Carolyn Spooner was appointed chair of the Bradford County Commission, her first time serving in the position.
She follows another first-timer, Diane Andrews, who spoke glowingly of Spooner and her service to the community.
For a moment, it wasn’t clear who would take over the office. Andrews nominated Spooner, but Kenny Thompson nominated Danny Riddick, and Chris Dougherty nominated Andrews for a second year. Andrews declined the nomination, but both Spooner and Riddick accepted, prompting Spooner to speak up for herself.
Spooner listed her years on the Starke City Commission, her three terms as mayor, her presidency of the executive committee of the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council and the work she put into becoming a certified county commissioner.
“I wish to have this opportunity, I feel like I deserve this opportunity, and I wish for my board to allow me that opportunity,” she said, being the only sitting commissioner who has not served as board chair. “I want that opportunity because I feel that I’ve earned it.”
Dougherty and Thompson withdrew their nominations, but Andrews shared why she had nominated Spooner. Self-knowledge and awareness, communication skills, focus, motivation, curiosity, positivity adaptability and experience were among the qualities Andrews listed.
“She has single handedly taken on the task of developing the board’s five-year strategic plan, something that she has begged for for the last three years. This is an enormous job that we all should have contributed our assistance with, but we allowed her to take it on herself, and for that I apologize and promise to assist her from now on.
Spooner, she said, always strives to do what is right.
“She has the ability and the courage not to allow strong politics to frighten her or change her perspective. This is a trait that I’ve seen many stand without, and you cannot be an effective leader if you fall when you should have stood,” Andrews said.
With her comments completed, the board voted unanimously to appoint Spooner, and followed that by naming Riddick as vice chair.
Later in the meeting, Spooner revealed a first look at her work on strategic planning, gathering information and community input. The board agreed to a strategic planning workshop on Dec. 14 at 3 p.m.
