On Monday evening members of the Carter County Commission will appoint a new constable to represent the citizens of the county’s 1st District.

Earlier this year, long-time Constable Landon Pritchard passed away creating a vacancy in the office. When an elected position in the county becomes vacant, the Commission is tasked with appointing an individual to fulfill the remainder of the term.

The county advertised for the position and directed those interested in being appointed as constable for the 1st District to submit an application through the County Court Clerk’s Office.

Under state law, in order to be eligible to serve as a constable applicants must meet the following criteria:

• be at least 21 years of age

• be a registered voter of the district

• be able to read and write and possess at least a high school diploma or general educational development certificate (GED)

• not have been convicted in any federal or state court of a felony

• not have been separated or discharged from the armed forces of the United States with other than an honorable discharge.

According to Carter County Administrator of Elections Tracy Harris, whoever the Commission appoints to fill the position will serve in that capacity until Sept. 1, 2018, when the term ends. If the person appointed wishes to continue to serve beyond that point, she said they will need to qualify as a candidate for the 2018 county elections. The date to pick up candidate paperwork to qualify for county office is November 17. Candidates must return the completed petitions to the Carter County Election Commission by noon on Feb. 15 to qualify.

Three people submitted applications to the County Court Clerk’s Office by the deadline, and all three applicants will be given the opportunity to address the full Carter County Commission during the meeting on Monday, Oct. 16, before the Commission votes to appoint one of them to the position.

The three applicants are Joshua G. Benfield, Gary W. Perry, and Ronald E. Reed.

Benfield lives on Opossum Hollow Road and lists his occupation as retired. According to his application, he has lived in Carter County for 36 years. He graduated from Elizabethton High School and attended training at the Tennessee Tech Center. He is also a veteran who served in the U.S. Army. On the application under the question regarding what qualifications he possesses for the position he is seeking, Benfield wrote: “ex military.” On the part of the application asking him to state why he is interested in the position Benfield responded: “My grandfather held the position for 30+ years, my stepfather is a constable, and I feel I could do a service to my district.”

Perry lives on Aviation Drive and lists his occupation as retired. According to his application, he has lived in Carter County for 56 years. He graduated from Unaka High School, earned an associate’s degree from Steed College as well as a degree from the Elizabethton Business College. Under both previous experience and qualifications, Perry listed his prior service as a constable in the county’s 8th District. On the part of the application asking him to state why he is interested in the position, Perry responded: “Doing my part for the county.”

Reed lives on Betsy Kay Drive and lists his occupation as small engine repair. According to his application, he has lived in Carter County for 24 years. He attended high school in New York where he completed 10th grade, later earning his GED in Texas and attended college there. Under the portion of the application asking about his qualifications Reed wrote: “to keep.” On the part of the application asking him to state why he is interested in the position, Reed responded: “to protect the people and to serve Carter County.”