John Coffelt, Editor

Coffee County Chief of Staff Sam Harper was named interim Director of the 911 Communication Center during a special called meeting of the Coffee County Communication Board on June 26. The appointment following the recent resignation of former Director Scott LeDuc last week. 

“We feel like that is a two-person job,” Chairman of the Comm. Center Board Missy DeFord said. “He is already part or the CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) and operations. We needed someone in the position in the interim to help Bob out until we can go through the hiring process.” 

DeFord said they felt Assistant Director Bob Jarman needed to stay in his position in charge of daily operations.

DeFord said that the board spoke with Jarman about the position. He told the board, according to DeFord that he would have to discuss the matter with his family before applying for the full director position. 

The director search is expected to be completed by December if not before. 

DeFord noted that all qualified applicants will be considered.

Harper was named Mayor’s chief of staff by late County Mayor Judd Matheny, a position created by Matheny in the place of a mayor’s administrative assistant. The chief of staff position will return to an administrative assistant position beginning July 1 with the new fiscal budget.   

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.