Robert "Bob" King, a retiree from Weavexx and an active community volunteer, was elected Monday to fill the remainder of the unexpired term of the late 3rd District Commissioner Alex Edens.

King, a Republican, took his seat immediately after the vote and participated in re-electing County Mayor Alan Broyles as chairman of the commission, and Kevin Morrison as speaker pro tempore. The speaker pro tempore serves when the speaker is absent.

Two votes were necessary to fill the vacancy, which was created after longtime commissioner Edens died unexpectedly last month.

King's term will not expire until September 2010. He received the most votes among four candidates who expressed an interest and were deemed to be qualified for the post by Greene County Administrator of Elections Donna Burgner.

One of the four, Tommy Armitage, was not present Monday, and received no votes.

Mayor Broyles said he attempted to get in touch with Armitage about Monday's meeting, but was unsuccessful. The November commission meeting is normally held in the evening, but was rescheduled this month so that officials could attend the Greene County Partnership's "Industry Appreciation" reception.

Former Tusculum Mayor and current Planning Commission Chairman Robert K. Bird, an active Republican who is retired after a career with the FBI, spoke.

So did Robin Quillen, a businesswoman and founder Feral Friends of Greene County, a group that cares for stray cats and dogs. She said she is a Republican.

After they spoke, Mayor Broyles accepted nominations, and all four were nominated.

County Clerk David Thompson then called the roll. As commissioners' names were called, each commissioner announced his or her vote.

King received nine votes, Bird got eight votes, Quillen received three votes and Armitage none.

Since none of the candidates received 11 votes required for election, Broyles directed that the names of the two lowest vote-getters be removed. On the second vote, King received 12 votes and Bird got eight.

Broyles then congratulated King and directed him to "take Mr. Edens' seat."

Broyles said he "certainly appreciated all the candidates who expressed interest."

Thompson showed King how to use his hand-held voting device, and the new commissioner started voting right away.

In the audience was Washington County Mayor George Jaynes, who told The Greeneville Sun that he had come to the meeting with several others to see first-hand how the county's computerized commission voting system worked.

Jaynes talked to Thompson, who operates the computer program that commissioners use for voting on most resolutions.

Thompson could not use the system for filling the vacancy, because it is limited to "yes or no" votes on one question at a time. Jaynes and his party left after observing several votes using the system.

In his remarks to the county commission before the vote, King said he grew up in Troy, N.Y., accepted a transfer to Greeneville when he was employed by Huyck Formex (formerly Weavexx) in 1967 "and I've been happy ever since."

King said he retired after 47 years with the company and has since become "heavily involved in retirement activities," volunteering at Laughlin Memorial Hospital for 11 years, becoming a board member of Greeneville-Greene County Community Ministries and treasurer of its Food Bank, a member of Moose and the Elks clubs, and an elder and choir member at First Presbyterian Church.

King said he has not been involved in political activities, but believes he can "bring some fresh ideas gained through business experience."

The commission voted unanimously to appoint King to the four committees on which Edens had served: the Beverage Board, the Delinquent Tax Board and the 911 Sign and Law Enforcement committees.

In the same vote, the county commission also appointed Daniel Wolcott, president and CEO of Takoma Regional Hospital, to the Emergency Medical Services Board, succeeding Carlyle Walton, who has relocated to Texas.

County Commissioner Phil King was also nominated as speaker pro tempore, receiving eight votes to Morrison's 11.

He and Morrison abstained.