Commission approves Prater as new VA Director

TOP PHOTO: Shane Prater was tabbed as new Director of Veterans Affairs for Campbell County.

 By Charlotte Underwood 

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – Shane Prater was tapped as Campbell County’s new Director of Veteran Affairs. He will replace Kevin Walden who recently retired. His hiring was upon the recommendation of the County’s Insurance and Personnel Committee, which spent last week interviewing and narrowing down candidates from a pool of five.

According to County Commissioner and chair of the Insurance and Personnel Committee Rusty Orick, “the decision was not an easy one, as there were five great candidates.”

The field was narrowed to two on Friday night, with Prater being the committee’s first pick. 

“We met and deliberated and met five great applicants. Narrowing this down was one of the hardest decisions, but we unanimously agreed as a committee and Shane Prater is our new Veterans Affairs Director,” Orick said. 

To make it official, Orick made the motion, which was approved unanimously by the commission.

Prater thanked the committee and the commissioners for its vote and said he knew he had “big shoes to fill.”

Other business topping the agenda on Tuesday evening was the selling of a sheriff’s department K-9. 

Campbell County Sheriff Wayne Barton had approached the commission about selling a K-9 to the Clinton Police Department at last week’s workshop. 

According to Barton, Campbell County cannot use this specific K-9.

“The Clinton Police Department had a K-9 pass away and can utilize the K-9. The dog is costing us $4,200 a year in maintenance. 

He asked that funds from the sale be earmarked for the purchase of an additional K-9 at a later date.

Commissioners approved the sale of K-9 Santos for $3,000, with those funds to be set aside for another K-9 to be purchased later. 

Also approved was a resolution for adoption of the state’s 401k plan.

It was a unanimous decision and the recommendation by the Insurance and Personnel Committee. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 01/18/2023-6AM)