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Dewey C. Cook appointed to fill Sanitary District Board vacancy
Summary
Following the posthumous election of Don Melton, the Sanitary District Board recommended Dewey C. Cook to fill the vacancy; the County Commissioners unanimously appointed Cook at the Feb. 3 meeting after county and state election authorities confirmed the statutory vacancy process.
County Attorney Jonathan Sink explained the unusual vacancy process after Sanitary District Board member Don Melton died Oct. 18, 2025 yet received the most votes in the Nov. 4 election. Sink said the Cleveland County Board of Elections, the State Board of Elections, and legal counsel for the Sanitary District reviewed the situation and declared the seat vacant on Nov. 14, 2025, initiating the statutory process to fill the position.
The Sanitary District Board solicited letters of interest, received four submissions, and unanimously recommended Dewey C. Cook. Commissioner Deb Hardin moved to appoint Dewey C. Cook to the vacancy; Commissioner Johnny Hutchins seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimously to appoint Cook to the unexpired term. Sink and Chairman Gordon confirmed the process complied with applicable state statutes and the involved election authorities.
