Pike County Fiscal Court appointed James Sloan to the Mountain Water District Board to replace Paul Cheney, who resigned for health reasons.

The presiding judge nominated James Sloan and described him as a veteran with experience in the coal industry and a member of the Old Rugger Baptist Church; members of the court and community speakers offered personal endorsements. “I’ve known James for a long time…and James is a real good church boy man,” one speaker said when urging the court to confirm him. Another speaker, who said he ran mining operations with Sloan, called him “a goodest manager ever gonna encounter in your life.”

The judge moved to appoint Sloan to fill the vacancy left by Cheney’s resignation. The court carried the motion by roll-call vote and welcomed Sloan; Sloan briefly addressed the court.

Court documents presented the appointment as a term that begins Aug. 1 and runs four years (the transcript stated the term will run for 4 years beginning 08/01/2029). The court did not discuss compensation for board members or specific duties at the meeting.

The appointment was approved by the court and the appointee was invited to take his place on the Mountain Water District Board.