BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The new Inez City Commission held its first meeting of the new year Thursday and appointed Jennifer Wells as commissioner to fill the vacancy left by Barry Horn.
According to Mayor Ed Daniels, Horn submitted a written resignation, even though he did not take the oath of office following his election in November.
“That’s why [Wells] is here. I asked her here,” Daniels said. “There aren’t a whole lot of people just breaking the doors down to get this.”
Commissioners Terry Fraley, Roy Penix and Floyd David Jude agreed with the appointment.
Wells, 38, is a resident of Inez and the wife of former Commissioner Richie Wells.
“My husband was asked if he was interested in filling in to continue his work with the city,” Wells told the Mountain Citizen. “Unfortunately, due to his schedule, he could not fill the position. On the other hand, my schedule doesn’t interfere with regular meetings or special-called sessions.”
Wells’s immediate goals include finishing updates to Inez Park with the city’s ARPA funding and assessing the city’s needs. She is especially interested in the beautification of the town.
“My husband and I have conversations about what we would like to see in the city, such as entertainment/singing and ways to generate more funding,” said Wells.
“Inez has wonderful potential. The Christmas in the Mountains festival has been a wonderful addition, and many people outside of Martin County have commented on how much enjoyment it brought them. I would like to ensure that the city supports any festival as it generates a lot of income for our community.
“I love Inez,” she added. “It’s where I plan on making my home for the rest of my life.”
Other business
City Clerk Lisa Mollett announced that Inez had received bank franchise tax checks totaling almost $20,000 in December.
The commission also:
• Adopted the Big Sandy Area Development District’s regional hazard mitigation plan.
• Appointed Jude as street commissioner.
• Appointed Penix as mayor pro tem to act in the absence of the actual mayor.
• Agreed to wait until warmer weather to address striping on Park Place.
• Added Penix, Jude and Wells to the city’s bank accounts.