Muggridge selected chair of Lee Commission

LEESBURG, Ga. — The new year brings a change in leadership atop the Lee County Commission.

Rick Muggridge, previously vice chairman of the board, was unanimously approved as chairman of Lee County’s governing body Tuesday night. The motion to pick Muggridge was made by outgoing chairman Ed Duffy, who announced at the opening of the session that he had informed other commissioners of his desire to step down as chairman.

The motion was seconded by Dennis Roland and approved without opposition.

Duffy also made the motion to name Roland as vice chairman. Luke Singletary seconded that motion and all commissioners voted for Roland.

After moving to the chairman’s spot on the panel, Muggridge’s first actions were to commend Duffy for his four years as chairman.

“I admit I am a little … intimidated by this job,” Muggridge said. “I appreciate Mr. Duffy and all he has meant to me personally.”

Muggridge said he believes Duffy’s four years as chairman will be recalled as one of the most “united” periods in the history of the commission.

“We pulled together for the good of this county,” he said.

Muggridge said he viewed the chairmanship as just a commissioner with one vote. His role in addition to directing the commission meetings will be to represent District 4 and to make sure that all commissioners are heard, he said.

Newcomer Greg Frich, county commissioner for District 5, was named by Muggridge to chair the Budget and Finance Commission. Singletary, who took office in November, was named by Muggridge to chair the Personnel Commission. Muggridge also will serve as a member of both committees.

He also named Roland is chair the Road Committee and appointed Singletary to be a member of that panel.

No other action was taken during Tuesday night’s work session, but the commission discussed a variety of topics to be addressed during its voting meeting on Jan. 22.

Several appointments to county boards will be handled at that time.

Topics that will be on the agenda for the voting meeting include the possibility of charging trash customers a deposit before providing services, finding ways to improve the county’s fire ISO rating and a rezoning request to add a driving range at Grand Island Golf Club.