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Commissioners’ Chairman Stacy Buchanan resigns
By Lynn Hotaling
 For the second time in the past decade, Jackson County’s elected commissioners’ chairman has resigned midway through his term.
Stacy Buchanan, who was elected a commissioner in 1998 and won the chairman’s seat in 2002, announced Monday that he would leave his post effective June 30.
Buchanan, a teacher and coach at Smoky Mountain High School, dropped his bombshell during a called meeting and limited his remarks to a prepared statement.
Saying he has “mixed emotions” about the decision, Buchanan indicated he made his choice due to a desire to advance in his “primary career teaching and coaching positions” as well as for the “overall good” of his family.
Buchanan went on to say that last week he accepted the position of SMHS assistant head football coach and co-offensive coordinator.
“For those of you who know me on a personal basis, you know that I have accepted a career advancement opportunity that I could not pass up,” said Buchanan, who has been an assistant football coach for at least four years and has also worked with junior varsity teams.
The Herald also received a Monday statement from SMHS football coach Tim Hawkins announcing Buchanan’s promotion. According to Hawkins, Buchanan will continue with his current coaching duties but will add responsibilities in the areas of pregame planning and advisory to Friday-night play calling.
“We are both excited about this advancement in Stacy’s role to Smoky Mountain football,” Hawkins said. “He will do an outstanding job for our program.”
As was the case after the late T.C. Lewis stepped down in late 1996, Buchanan’s replacement will be chosen by the Jackson County Democratic Executive Committee.
Nelson Bumgarner, DEC chairman, said the timetable for naming Buchanan’s successor is not yet known.
While state statutes stipulate the DEC must name Buchanan’s replacement within 30 days of his resignation, Bumgarner said it’s not clear whether that means his announcement or his end-of-June departure.
Bumgarner said he regrets Buchanan’s resignation and wishes the chairman could have stayed on.
Those sentiments were echoed by Buchanan’s fellow commissioners.
“Stacy and I began this journey together, and it is with reservations that I accept this resignation,” said Vice Chairman Roberta Crawford, who was also elected in 1998. “He has accomplished so much for Jackson County.”
“I admire Stacy and I think he’s done a terrific job,” she said.
“I share the same sentiments as Roberta,” said Commissioner Eddie Madden. “This county and this board owes a debt of gratitude to Stacy. It’s hard not to be saddened. Nevertheless, I respect (his decision) and appreciate that he’s agreed to continue through the end of the fiscal year and budget cycle.
“I know he’ll make a good assistant coach,” Madden said.
“I think anytime you see an individual put his family first as well as his love and passion for sports and coaching, that’s a good choice, but we hate to see him go,” said Commissioner Brian McMahan.
Commissioner Joe Cowan did not attend the noon meeting.
Bumgarner declined to speculate on who might be named to replace Buchanan.
“It could be a present commissioner or anyone else in the county,” he said.
During Monday’s meeting, Crawford expressed her view that the new chairman should be a current commissioner, though she said she’s not lobbying for the job.
“I hope (Buchanan’s replacement) would be a member of this board, but I’m not volunteering,” she said.
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