Changes Come to County Government

One stepped into service as one stepped out of it at the regular meeting of the Hardeman County Commission on January 23.

The commission began by unanimously approving Mamie Polk to replace her husband Thomas, who passed away last November, on the commission.

Polk will serve until August, when Michion E. Gatlin, who is running unopposed for the seat, is expected to be elected.

Polk (pictured right) was sworn-in by General Sessions Judge Boyette Denton (also pictured right), who then delivered more news to the panel.

“I apologize for not finishing this term,” Denton began, detailing his battle with Parkinson’s Disease had become burdensome and telling them his last day will be March 31.

Denton is expected to be replaced in February by the County Commission with an election for the remaining six years of his term to take place in August.

Denton thanked those who worked with him over the years, including longtime law partner Chip Cary, advocates Ruby Clifft, Amanda Hopkins, Butch Gatlin, Vic Jones, Jr., and he talked about  dad, saying the “20 years (of working with him) were the best time of my life.”

He talked of the struggle with Parkinson’s, relating stories of falls, “without warning.”

He talked of the end of the generation of Dentons who carried on in the legal profession in Hardeman County, lamenting that it appears that it has come to an end, before turning back to grandson Beau, who was in the courtroom, and asking him to consider law for a vocation.

He spoke of his grandfather, an attorney who acted as Hardeman County Clerk and Hardeman County Clerk and Master and of his father, known as “Lawyer Denton.”

“When they would come to the door and ask for ‘Lawyer Denton’ I would tell them, ‘I am Lawyer Denton,’” relating that the subsequent correction that it was his dad they were looking for, “Didn’t bother me a bit.”

He thanked his family, wife Melissa, his children, and spoke of how busy he would be with his three grandchildren, all boys.

The election for Denton’s seat in August, if his final day is March 31, would have petitions due at the Hardeman County Election Commission on June 7 at noon. All candidates that turn in petitions would have to run as independents, but either party could caucus to bring a partisan candidate to the ballot. Election Day is August 5.