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Corbitt honored for eight years of service as County Commission Chairman
Wesley Corbitt with plaque
Commission Chair Wesley Corbitt holds his plaque he received from county staff and commissioners. Pictured from left, are: County Clerk Stephanie Johnson, commissioners Phil Kieffer and Jamie DeLoach; Corbitt, commissioners Roger Burdette and Forrest Floyd; and County Manager Tim Callanan. (Submitted photo.)

Special to the Herald

SPRINGFIELD – Effingham County Commission Chairman Wesley Corbitt was honored for his eight years of service at an afternoon receptions Dec. 3 by his fellow commissioners and county employees.

“I’ve known Mr. Corbitt all my life,” said Jamie DeLoach. “As a baseball coach, and as a special and strong person to help the county navigate through its current growth.”

Wesley and Pam Corbitt
County Commission Chair Wesley Corbitt stands with his wife Pam at the afternoon reception in his honor Dec. 3. (Photo by Barbara Augsdorfer/Effingham Herald.)
County Manager Tim Callanan focused on Corbitt’s leadership.

“The way this board disagreed without being disagreeable was due to Wesley’s leadership,” Callanan said. “The thing I’m going to miss most is that I never had a conversation (with him) that didn’t end with a ‘thank you’.

“You played such an important role in shaping the county. That’s the difference between a manager and an administrator,” Callanan added.

 

Final commission meeting
At the regularly scheduled meeting that evening, his fellow commissioners and county staff presented Corbitt with a plaque to thank him for his years of service.

Corbitt accepted the plaque that featured a gavel from Callanan and County Clerk Stephanie Johnson. An inscription on the memento reads in part, “… we are most appreciative of your service and leadership in Effingham County …”
Corbitt did not seek reelection this year. He is the only Effingham County chairman to serve two terms.
After receiving the plaque, Corbitt was met with a round of applause and posed for a photograph with Callanan, Johnson and fellow commissioners Phil Kieffer, DeLoach, Roger Burdette and Forrest Floyd.
Corbitt, in his typical fashion, heaped praise on others before getting to work on the evening’s agenda.
“I am very appreciative of the opportunity to serve these past eight years,” he said. “I hope our constituents understand and recognize what a quality board we have and how easy it is to serve as chairman when you have this type of leadership around you. I just hope and pray that this community appreciates the integrity, selfless service, commitment to truth and accuracy, and dedication to doing things well that these guys (exhibit).”
“I’m sure the two new commissioners will follow in that (tradition) as well.”

Commission Chairman-elect Damon Rahn will succeed Corbitt in January 2025.

Rahn and District 4 County Commissioner-elect Beth Helmly are set to be sworn in Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. at the County Administration Center in Springfield.

 

Reginald Loper honored but not present

The Dec. 3 reception at the County Administration building also honored District 4 Commissioner Reginald Loper, who was not present.

Loper was the longest serving county commissioner with 20 years of service, but his final 18 months were marred by an arrest and indictment of felony child molestation charges in 2023. Loper was suspended from his office last April. Loper avoided trial and possible jail time with a plea deal in August that reduced the most serious charges to misdemeanors. He was sentenced to probation and a $500 fine, according to court records.

According to a spokesperson from Gov. Brian Kemp’s office, “By action of the law, not that of the governor, Mr. Loper resumed his duties as a commissioner.”

Loper was present at only a handful of commission meetings while the court case played out in 2023 and 2024.