January 25, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
The county commission has a new member.
During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, Shaee Flatt of Alexandria was appointed by the commission to fill the unexpired term of Dennis Slager who resigned in November. Flatt edged out Tom Chandler by a vote of 7 to 6 for the position. A third candidate, Waylon Kyle received no support from the commission.
Flatt is a former Mt. Juliet resident and former managing editor of the Chronicle of Mt Juliet. He now serves as a special education teacher and football coach at Mt Juliet High School. Flatt and his wife and children have lived in Alexandria for three years.
Each of the three men, Flatt, Chandler, and Kyle was given an opportunity to address the county commission prior to the vote to express his desire to serve.
The commission then adopted a procedure for the selection of the appointee. Commissioners could place a name in nomination. First district member Julie Young nominated Chandler. Seventh district Commissioner Beth Pafford nominated Flatt. No one nominated Kyle. During the roll call each of the commissioners voted by calling out the name of either Flatt or Chandler.
Commissioners voting for Flatt were Myron Rhody, Bobby Johnson, Jenny Trapp, Janice Fish Stewart, Dr. Scott Little, Jeff Barnes, and Beth Pafford. Those voting for Chandler were Julie Young, Sabrina Farler, Anita Puckett, Jerry Adcock, Matt Adcock, and Bruce Malone.
Flatt will serve out Slager’s term which ends August 31, 2022.
Near the end of the meeting, Flatt was sworn into office by County Mayor Tim Stribling.
The county commission is made up of two members from each of the seven districts including Shaee Flatt and Julie Young from the 1st district; Sabrina Farler and Myron Rhody from the 2nd district, Bobby Johnson and Jenny Trapp from the 3rd district, Janice Fish Stewart and Dr. Scott Little from the 4th district, Jerry Adcock and Anita Puckett from the 5th district, Jeff Barnes and Matt Adcock from the 6th district, and Bruce Malone and Beth Pafford from the 7th district.
In a letter to the County Mayor and Commission expressing his interest in the position, Flatt wrote “This month marks three years since my wife and I decided to move from Mt. Juliet to Alexandria. We have two small children who have made friends here and have known no other home. My wife and I agree that we want to make Alexandria and DeKalb County our permanent home. After talking with family, friends, and other members of the community, I decided to seek the office of Commissioner”.
“As someone who went to school for journalism and ended up working three years as the Managing Editor of the Chronicle of Mt. Juliet, I spent many nights at county commission and city council meetings as well as numerous other similar meetings. I developed an appreciation and fondness for local government as the institution most committed to solving the problems and issues that emerge in the community whether that is education, emergency services, safety and security, or whatever the people themselves think will be important in enhancing the quality of life for them and the County”.
“After leaving the Chronicle, I worked a few years at Wilson Bank and Trust before finally settling into a career as a Special Education teacher and football coach at my alma mater, Mt. Juliet High School. I have always placed a great emphasis on investing in the youth in any community and being able to mentor, lead, and shepherd teenagers through such a critical time in their lives, This is something I deeply value. I feel extremely blessed to be in the position I am in and would love to be able to pursue those interests in DeKalb County”.