Chris Berendt/Sampson Independent Commissioners Albert Kirby, left, and Harry Parker share a word prior to the Sampson County Board of Commissioners organization Monday night, Parker's first as a commissioner. The board is mandated to elect its chairman and vice chairman during its December meeting each year, and the county's leadership remains unchanged.

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Chris Berendt/Sampson Independent Commissioners Billy Lockamy, right, and Jarvis McLamb will serve another year as chairman and vice chairman of the board, respectively, following the board's law-mandated organization Monday.

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The Sampson County Board of Commissioners on Monday went through its annual reorganization, during which its leadership is chosen, and there was no musical chairs this time around.

N.C. General Statute requires that the board elect its officers during its first meeting in December each year. Customarily, the county manager presides over the election of the chairman. Then, the newly-elected chairman presides over the election of vice chairman. In recent years, the post has changed hands — or more aptly, seats, as the chairman is seated in the middle at board meetings and the vice chairman to his immediate right.

This year, those posts will stay as is, with Billy Lockamy in the chairman’s seat and Jarvis McLamb as vice chairman.

Before the decision was made to keep the board’s leadership intact, attorney Annette Chancy Starling explained the procedure. The person conducting the election should ask for nominations from the board (nominations do not require a second). After all nominations have been made, the board should vote on the candidates, with each member casting one vote, she stated.

Starling, acting in the stead of county manager Ed Causey, who was stricken with bronchitis, opened up the floor to nominations.

Commissioner Jefferson Strickland nominated Lockamy for chairman. Starling asked whether there were any more nominations, to which there was no answer. She asked for any discussion and there was none. Starling called for a vote for chairman, at which point Strickland, Lockamy and commissioner Jarvis McLamb raised their hands — commissioners Albert Kirby and Harry Parker abstained — giving Lockamy the majority of the board support and Chancy deemed Lockamy the chairman.

Lockamy then opened the floor up to nominations for vice chairman, immediately making a nomination for McLamb. The vote for McLamb was unanimous.

A round of handshakes followed, and Lockamy expressed his appreciation to the board and citizens for the opportunity to serve a second year as head of the county board.

“Thank you very much commissioners for giving me the chance to serve again as chairman,” said Lockamy. “It’s a privilege to serve the Sampson County citizens. Thank you for trusting me for one year. I hope you can put your confidence in me for another year. I’m proud to serve as a county commissioner and proud to serve as your chairman.”

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137 ext. 121 or via email at sicrime@heartlandpublications.com.