Florey

    District 1 Supervisor Hank Florey (R) announced his retirement Thursday at the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisor’s work session meeting.

    Florey, 79, said he will serve out the final year of his fourth term in office but will not seek re-election for a fifth term during the primary election this August.

    “I will not be a candidate for District 1 Supervisor, I am retiring at the end of this term,” Florey said to his fellow supervisors. “It’s been 16 years, four terms, and I was never defeated. It’s time to step down. But, I will serve this whole year.”

    Candidates began filing to seek state and county offices on Jan. 5. Four candidates have already filed to run for Florey’s seat: Burnie Berry, Eddie D. Harper, Mike Marlow and Jonathan “Coach” Wells. All are running in the August Republican primary. Feb. 27 is the final day to qualify for the primary and November election.

    Three of the four other Lauderdale County supervisors, Josh Todd (District 3), Wayman Newell (District 2) and Kyle Rutledge (District 5) have all qualified to run in the Republican primary.

    Florey thanked his district residents for their support and friendship during his four terms in office. During the work session, Florey said he will stay in contact with the board after his term ends.

    “I won’t be like General (Douglas) McArthur and fade away,” Florey said. “I’ll be around to help, especially these two youngsters (Todd and Rutledge).”

    Todd and Rutledge are in the final year of their first terms as supervisors.