Janie Varnell confirmed as new Hamilton County Attorney
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County attorney saga appears to have reached a conclusion.
The Commission has finally approved a transition plan.
After a long and controversial process, Janie Parks Varnell has received approval to become the new Hamilton County Attorney to replace longtime attorney Rheubin Taylor.
After several months in a special advisor role, Varnell was approved by the Hamilton County Commission to the county attorney role.
All commissioners voted for her confirmation except for David Sharpe.
He criticized the process of transitioning attorneys, which had begun after Mayor Weston Wamp took office in 20-22, as improper, and elected to abstain from the vote.
Sharpe said in a statement, “This should not be a zero sum decision, and I resent those who have proposed it, and I’m certainly disappointed in everyone who supported it.”
Rheubin Taylor declined to comment on the vote following the meeting.
However, several commissioners including Joe Graham said they appreciated his 32 year career in the county attorney office.
Graham said, “You are a gentleman, and a wonderful community leader, and you are a wonderful man. I am proud to call you my friend.”
Varnell says she will now work with Taylor over the next 45 days to begin a transition as she hires new support staff to fill out the office.
“Today I am really excited!”, she said. “We will make sure that Hamilton County can be in the best position we can be on July 1. Whether that is making I’m sure I’m aware of all the pending files and all of the pending cases, whether that is making sure he is teaching me things I may not have experience in, I think he and I will work well together over the next 45 days.”
She says that she is excited to get past this step and get to work and assemble her new staff.
Varnell said, “I’m basically looking for anyone that is motivated like myself to work to make this county a better place. “
Varnell will take over this role officially on July 1.
