Pike County supervisors appointed a longtime court official to serve as a justice court judge until voters decide later this year on a replacement for Melvin Hollins, who recently resigned.
Supervisor Robert Accardo made the recommendation to appoint Loretta Conerly, who served as Hollins’ secretary, to serve on the bench for the county’s central district.
“She will seamlessly fill that term,” Accardo said. “We had a few well qualified people but Loretta Conerly was at the top to me.”
“That’s who Judge Hollins recommended as well,” Supervisor Sam Hall said. “We had some excellent resumes, very, very well-qualified people who applied for it.”
The board voted 4-0 for the appointment, with Supervisor Tazwell Bowksy absent and Jake Gazzo attending via Zoom. Also voting in favor was Supervisor Lee Fortenberry.
Qualifying for the seat is open through 5 p.m. Sept. 9. The general election is Nov. 8. Candidates will run without party affiliation.
In addition to the Central District justice court seat, there will be a special election for the District 1 election commissioner’s post following the resignation of Audrey Holmes-Jenkins. Supervisors recently appointed Jemika Bates to serve in the interim.
The winners of November’ election will serve out the rest of the term, which ends Dec. 31, 2023.
