Overton-Pickett E-911 Searching For New Attorney

The Overton-Pickett Emergency Communications District Board needs a new attorney.

The board voted Thursday to put the position out for bid after struggling to find a new attorney over the past few weeks.

“As far as a new attorney, I don’t have one,” OPECD Director Chris Masiongale said. “I contacted the state and the state said they do not have any recommendations.”

Former attorney Mike Mann announced his retirement last month. Mann helped write most of the current 911 laws, according to Masiongale.

“I don’t think we will find anybody as cheap as we had Mike,” Masiongale said. “Mike was $350 a month.”

Most of the board felt like it would be important that the person selected would have the ability to interpret 911 Tennessee Code Annotated.

“There were no criteria for an attorney that would represent us,” blank blank said. “It would be very difficult to find an attorney who was an expert in the 911 TCA codes, but the ability to interpret those would be a requirement.”

The board discussed several candidates, including Judge Daryl Colson, Livingston City Attorney John Meadows, and Overton County Attorney Lillie Ann Sells.

“Nothing against Lillie Ann, but we are a separate entity,” Masiongale said. “We receive county funds and might get into some issues there.”