Cornelia searching for new Ward One commissioner following Dodd’s passing

(Hadley Cottingham/NowHabersham)

Two weeks after the passing of City of Cornelia Commissioner Wesley Dodd, the Ward One Commissioner position is now open for applications.

Following Dodd’s sudden death, Commissioner Don Bagwell told Now Habersham that the work he did and the attitude he brought to the commission wasn’t something they could find in anyone else.

“I just don’t think Wes is replaceable,” Bagwell said. “Because for the little bit of of money that the commissioners receive each month, what Wes brought to the table was worth was worth tens of thousands, if not millions of dollars to the city.”

While the city and commission continue to grieve Dodd, Cornelia needs another dedicated public servant to join the commission. Bagwell hopes he and the commission will honor Dodd’s memory by working together to make decisions that benefit all of Cornelia’s citizens equally, like he says Dodd would have.

RELATED: Remembering Cornelia Commissioner Wesley Dodd

Ward One is highlighted in red on the City of Cornelia’s official ward map. Click to enlarge.

Those who would are interested in serving the City of Cornelia as Ward One commissioner must have been a resident of Cornelia for at least one year, and a resident of Ward One for at least six months. Candidates who fit the requirments should submit a resume and letter describing why they would like to serve to City Clerk Debbie Turner at City Hall by 2 p.m. on Sept. 27.

Candidates will be interviewed by the City of Cornelia Commission before the Oct. 5 commission meeting. The selected individual will serve as an appointed commissioner until the March 2022 special election, during which time the Ward One commission seat will be on the ballott.

“He’s a huge loss to the community, I just can’t say enough good things,” Bagwell said. “[He was] a great friend, and we’re going to have to look long and hard to find somebody [to] fill those shoes, beause they were mighty big shoes.”