A new chair and vice chair of the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors were elected during a Jan. 2 organizational meeting of the Supervisors.

Drakes Branch Supervisor Garland H. Hamlett, Jr. was elected chair for the upcoming year and Red House/Cullen Supervisor Nancy Carwile was elected vice chair.

“I have the utmost respect for Dr. Carwile and I do think it’s sad that … last year it was said that this board had a certain way of going through … who would serve next …” said Red Oak/Wylliesburg Supervisor Kay Pierantoni.

She said the individuals on the Board who had served before had previously mentioned an agreement to a rotation in which each district would serve in the positions of chair and vice chair.

Pierantoni said the title chair and vice chair shouldn’t come with any undo responsibility.

She also said it doesn’t bore any great honor.

Last year at a January organizational meeting of the Supervisors, Carwile said, “I worked hard to get a rotation system for the chair, and the chair serves two years, and then the vice chair becomes chair.”

At that time, she said she felt like it took the politics out of the process.

Last year, Hamlett served as vice chair of the Supervisors.

“ …but I want to go on record and say that my district has continually been overlooked and I just hope in the future that, that will change. I think it’s unfortunate that we do have two new people on the Board that have never served and Dr. Carwile has served …” said Pierantoni.

She said Carwile expressed that she would not be running for a position on the Board next year.

“ So, those things being said, I’m fine with Dr. Carwile being the vice chair … I just hope that … we do better on making decisions going forward and on other county matters …” said Pierantoni.

Hamlett said he appreciated the confidence of the Board for electing him to serve as the 2019 chairman of the Supervisors.

He said he would do his best to conduct business in a dignified manner.