County appoints Duff replacement

Loudon County commissioners filled Monday the district 5, seat A position on commission vacated by the death last month of Harold Duff.

Commission voted unanimously to appoint Joe Morrison to Duff’s seat.

By law, commissioners had 120 days to fill the vacancy. The term of the appointment will last until the next county general election in August 2024.

Commissioner Van Shaver, who occupies district 5, seat B, nominated Morrison.

Duff’s son Lance, a member of the Roane County Commission, addressed the room before the vote. He said his father was an educator who served 36 years in both Loudon County and Lenoir City schools. He said his father always tried to encourage the school system to improve.

His father also felt it was important for elected officials to remain friendly even when they disagreed on policy, Lance said.

“I know my dad would have wanted Joe to fill his seat for 20 months and beyond,” he said.

Chairman Henry Cullen welcomed Morrison on the commission and praised Duff.

“He was one of the finest men I have had the pleasure to know,” Cullen said.

County Mayor Rollen “Buddy” Bradshaw swore Morrison into office, and he took his seat on commission for the rest of the meeting.

Lance picked up the nameplate and a photograph of his father that had been placed at the seat.

Morrison is a 25-year employee of Covenant Health where he works in the IT Department. He has a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Tusculum College and an associates from Roane State Community College in business management and information technology. Morrison is married to Duff’s niece.

“I am a conservative Republican,” Morrison said. “I knew Mr. Duff for 40 years and we share the same values, especially a great interest in education.”

Shaver said historically commission has chosen a family member to finish the term of a deceased elected official. In 2001 at the death of Ted Randolph, commissioners appointed his daughter. In 2017 at the death of Loudon County Board of Education Member Ric Best, commissioners appointed his wife to finish his term, Shaver said.

Shaver said he didn’t believe appointing any of the candidates from the August election would be the correct course of action.

Duff, Pat Hunter and David Ball ran for the seat in the May primary. Duff received 1,097 votes to Ball’s 700 and Hunter’s 382.