Chatham County commissioners have elected a new board leader.

Diana Hales was elected to serve as chair of the board in a 3-2 vote on Monday night. Hales is replacing Jim Crawford.

“The first thing I would like to say before we move on to the nomination for the vice chair is thank you Jim Crawford for three years of leading this organization as chair,” Hales said after being elected. “My shoes are much smaller, but I will try to fill yours.”

Crawford had been nominated by commissioner Walter Petty to continue serving as chair. Both Crawford and Petty voted in Crawford’s favor. Commissioner Karen Howard nominated Hales and voted along with Hales and commissioner Mike Dasher for Hales to take the reins of the board.

Howard also nominated Dasher to serve as vice chair, which was approved by unanimous vote with no other nominees.

Chatham County is one of the fastest growing counties in our region. The commissioners voted 3-2 in August 2016 to implement countywide zoning amid a heated public debate, meaning there will be more approval necessary for some developments in the county moving forward.

Photo via Chatham County

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