Cumberland County Commission leaves two local seats vacant until August election

The Cumberland County Commission voted unanimously April 20 to leave two local offices vacant until the August election rather than appoint replacements at the next meeting.

Commissioner John Patterson moved, and Commissioner Deborah Holbrook seconded, to leave the Second District commission seat vacant until the August election. The commission adopted the motion by unanimous roll call vote. Mayor Allen Foster had presented the notice of vacancy prepared by County Clerk Jule Bryson and outlined two options: leave the seat until voters fill it by write-in at the August election, or allow interested district residents to present themselves for appointment at the commission’s May 18 meeting.

On the same terms, the commission voted unanimously on a motion by Commissioner Joseph Sherrill, seconded by Commissioner Colleen Mall, to leave the Fourth District Board of Education seat vacant until the August election. Mayor Foster read the notice of vacancy prepared by County Clerk Jule Bryson and said candidates could choose either to seek election in August by write-in or to submit information for a possible May appointment.

The commission’s votes establish that both seats will be filled by the August 2026 election unless the body later decides to act. No amendments or alternate timelines were adopted at the April 20 meeting.