Lazaro Aleman
ECB Publishing, Inc.
There was a partial turning of the guard at the recent commission meeting, with a new commissioner joining the board, another taking his exit, and the chairman transferring the power of the gavel.
It all took place at the start of the Jefferson County Commission meeting on Thursday evening, Nov. 19, which was held under the new protocols brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, complete with temperature taking at the door, social distancing in the seating, and mask wearing throughout the proceeding.
Newly elected District 1 Commissioner Chris Tuten took the oath of office, which Judge Bobby Plaines administered, as is the custom. Tuten’s extended family attended the brief ceremony, including his wife, Shaughnessy, who accompanied him up on the dais for the oath taking with their newborn son.
Immediately upon taking the oath, Tuten took his seat on the board, replacing outgoing Commissioner Stephen Fulford.
Fulford, who chose not to seek reelection, served two terms on the board, interrupted by a four-year hiatus in-between.
In recognition of Fulford’s service to the county, Commission Chairman J. T. Surles presented him with a framed gavel commemorating his eight years in office.
Fulford was also the recipient of much praise and well wishes from both his colleagues and members of the public.
County Coordinator Parrish Barwick credited Fulford with having an aura about him that gave him presence – what Barwick said that his grandmother called stature.
“It’s like carrying a big stick, but you don’t have to use it,” Barwick said.
Fulford’s leaving, he said, left big shoes to fill.
“He’s extremely confident and he shows it,” Barwick said. “He is also easygoing and easy to work. I know I’m better because I met you, and that’s a great compliment.”
Clerk of Court Kirk Reams recalled Fulford’s two go-arounds on the board and remarked on the brevity and efficiency that the latter brought to meetings during his chairmanships.
“I appreciate working with you and watching your family grow up,” Reams said. “It’s hard to find someone who cares as much about the county.”
Commissioner Eugene Hall recalled working on the Fulford peanut farm as a boy, and in the process gaining an appreciation of farmers and their hard work.
“It had an impact on me,” he said of the experience. “I have a lot of respect for farmers and also for Mr. Fulford and his service as a commissioner.”
Walker simply expressed pleasure at the opportunity to serve on the board with Fulford. He also observed that Fulford wasn’t someone he wanted to play poker with, “because you can never tell what hand he holds.”
Surles admitted his admiration for Fulford, noting that when it had come his turn to assume the chairmanship, it had made him extremely nervous. Fortunately, he said, thanks to technology he had been able to view videos of past meetings when Fulford had been the chairman, and he had learned from the way that the latter had conducted the proceedings.
“I look to Fulford as a role model,” he said.
Surles added that now that he was longer prohibited from talking to Fulford because of Sunshine Law, he planned to seek his advice on issues whenever necessary in the future.
“He knows a lot of ways to help this county,” Surles said.
Commissioner Betsy Barfield thanked Fulford for his many contributions to the county and a well done job overall, especially relative to economic development. She wished him God speed on his next endeavor.
County Attorney Scott Shirley expressed appreciation for Fulford’s balanced, philosophical views on the issues that came before the board.
“You see all the sides to an issue and I will miss that,” Shirley said.
County Attorney Buck Bird recognized Fulford’s ties to the University of Florida and his higher education credentials, which he said had made the latter on exception on the board.
“He hit the road running,” Bird said, adding that Fulford had also been smart enough to bring another UF graduate to the county, referring to wife Tracie.
Paul Henry, a citizen, called Fulford a straight shooter.
“We didn’t always agreed,” Henry said. “But I always knew where you stood on things, which I can’t say about other politicians.”
Following Surles’ award presentation to Fulford, he ceded the chairmanship to Stephen Walker, based on the board’s quick vote. The board chose Hall to be the vice chair.
