Commission clerk Beth Bell resigns

The Highland County Press

Highland County Commission Clerk Beth Bell informed commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer of her resignation in a letter dated Jan. 2.

Bell has served as clerk since succeeding former clerk Debbie Sansone, who resigned in January 2012.

Commissioners Wilkin and Horst accepted Bell's resignation "with regrets" at the Jan. 9 board meeting.

After a motion to accept the resignation was made by Horst, Wilkin asked: "Could it (the motion) die for lack of a second?"

Wilkin and Horst then voted to accept the resignation and wished all the best for Beth Bell.

Commissioner Jeremy Shaffer was absent Jan. 9 due to an illness.

In her letter to commissioners, Bell wrote:

Please accept my resignation as Commissioners' Clerk.

It has been a pleasure working with you and experiencing the day-to-day business of the operation of county government. I appreciate the opportunity of serving you and the community as Clerk and wish you, and fellow commissioners Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer, all the best in your continued work to lead Highland County in a positive, sound and productive direction.

It has also been my pleasure working with Deputy Clerk Candy Matthews, whom I find to be most hardworking and dedicated to the work of the Commissioners' office. Her experience in finance and customer service has been a tremendous asset to the office, and she has been of great assistance to me this past year.

For the past several years, I have been making custom leather holsters, flasks and other leather goods for fellow mule enthusiasts, shooters, friends and family. Through their encouragement, I have decided to focus my attention on devoting more time to that art and starting a small business.

I would like to offer a minimum of two weeks' notice to vacate my position, and will offer support as needed to assist in a smooth transition.

Thank you, again, for the opportunity to serve as your clerk.

Sincerely,

Beth Bell