Effingham County commissioners have filled an unexpected vacancy on the board of assessors after testy and pointed exchanges.

Commissioners voted 4-2 to appoint David Baker Sr. to fill the unexpired term of Beth Helmey, who resigned last month. The submission of Baker and Bonnie Gnann as candidates to replace Helmey appeared to irk Commissioner Reggie Loper.

“This is sort of misleading,” he said. “I don’t know how Commissioner (Phil) Kieffer came up with somebody from the 5th District. This is for the 4th District. All I got to do is get somebody to replace her.”

For the complete story see Tuesday's edition of the Effingham Herald.