The Commercial Point Village Council appointed Dustin Fox to a vacant council seat at its meeting. Dustin Fox, who identified himself as a Commercial Point resident since 2019 and a volunteer on local school and land-use committees, addressed the council before the vote.

Fox told the council he had spent “many hours in this gallery of listening to and engaging with the decision makers of this village” and described the need for what he called “statesmen” in local government. Two other applicants, Ricky Baldwin and Charlie Pazell, also spoke about their ties to the village and said they would prioritize transparency and listening to residents.

The applicants described local involvement: Fox said he has attended Teays Valley school board meetings, volunteered on a school community advisory team and regularly attended the council’s land use committee; Baldwin said he has lived in Commercial Point since 1992 (with time away for military service) and emphasized “honesty and integrity” and listening to residents; Pazell cited nearly 30 years in public safety and said he would support a unified message from the council.

Councilmembers moved to suspend the standard order and proceed with the appointment. A motion to appoint (the meeting transcript records the motion as naming “Justin Fox,” while the applicant who spoke and was sworn in is Dustin Fox) passed on roll call with the council voting in favor. After the vote, the council indicated it would arrange a swearing-in so Fox can begin serving with the council at its next meeting.

The appointment fills a seat the council must certify before the next election cycle. The council did not take additional, separate formal actions related to the appointment during the meeting.

The meeting also included brief debate and other agenda items that did not change the appointment outcome.