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Petition filed seeking removal of 1st District Commissioner Stephen Stokes for prolonged absences, county minutes show
Summary
Dr. Ken Berry told the Benton County commission on March 17 that he filed a petition under the Tennessee Ouster Law to remove 1st District Commissioner Stephen Stokes, alleging Stokes has been absent for about a year and a half. The minutes record the filing as public comment; no formal action by the commission was recorded that night.
During the citizens forum at the March 17 Benton County commission meeting, Dr. Ken Berry said he filed a petition in compliance with Tennessee's ouster law seeking removal of 1st District Commissioner Stephen Stokes, alleging prolonged absences over approximately a year and a half.
The filing was announced in public comment; the minutes record the statement but do not indicate any formal referral, investigation or commission action at that meeting. Commissioner Arnold later reiterated concerns about Commissioner Stokes's absence during the commissioners forum.
Under Tennessee procedure, a citizen filing invoking the state's ouster provision initiates a legal and administrative process outside a single commission meeting; the minutes do not record subsequent steps, a hearing, or a staff report on the matter. The commission did not vote or take further action on the petition during the March 17 session.
Next steps for the petition — including any county or court review — were not recorded in the meeting minutes. The minutes do not include a response from Commissioner Stokes in this session.
