| Doster announces retirement |
By: By Tracy Sharp, Managing Editor
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Posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 3:12 pm
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Weakley County Mayor Houston Patrick and Weakley County Trustee Donald Doster
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After 18 years of service as Weakley County Trustee, Donald Doster announced Monday morning he was retiring his office effective Oct.31.
In a written letter to the Weakley County Commission supported by an early morning press conference, Doster cited “Due to some major changes in my life over the last couple of years, the loss of my wife to cancer and now my upcoming marriage to the former Carolyn Finney, I offer my resignation to the office of Trustee …”
Doster has been elected five times since 1990, when he replaced John Prince as Trustee.
He cited that the office has gone through amazing changes since he took it nearly 20 years ago, leading to the first computerization upgrades in 1991.
“We have made progress and updates, citizens can now pay online,” he said. “It’s mind-boggling. It’s nothing like what it was run when we started here.
In his letter, he cited under the authority of State Law TCA 8-11-111, “I am designating Linda Pettit as my temporary successor to the office and respectfully request that the County Commission make this permanent until the next election. Linda has the knowledge and the experience to best serve our citizens in the Trustee’s Office. She came into office at the same time as I on Sept. 1, 1990.”
Doster added, "I am confident she will do an outstanding job for you and Weakley County” in his letter to the Commission.
“I’m not playing politics,” he said to the media, “in naming Linda to this position. She’s been here 18 years. Without her, this office would not have run.”
Doster, accompanied by County Mayor Houston Patrick, cited that depending on the activities going on each year, $30 – 60 million dollars goes through the Trustee’s office each year.
When asked if he was resigning to seek a higher office in the future, Doster denied it by saying “At this time, no.”
“I’m kind of looking forward to getting up and doing what I want to in the morning,” the 62-year-old elected official said.
“We thank God for Doster,” Patrick said. “He’s been good to us and has been a great man and a great official.”
Doster is a native Weakley Countian and graduated from Dresden High School in 1963. He married Finney Monday evening.
As for future plans he said, “In retirement, I hope to work more in the church field at Alamo Baptist Church near Sidonia, get caught up on my crappie fishing and do some traveling with my new wife, Carolyn.”
WCP 9.30.08 |
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