Ensley to serve as county attorney

Among the routine annual appointments during the final regular meeting of the Putnam County Commissioners came the surprise announcement of a new county attorney.

Jim Ensley will replace Scott Hoff as the commissioners' counsel in 2013.

No discussion was made of the appointment during the meeting -- neither by the commissioners nor Hoff.

Contacted after the meeting, Commissioner Nancy Fogle, the only commissioner not being replaced in 2013, said she thought it was time for a change.

"I thought with two new commissioners, we needed some new blood," Fogle said.

Fogle, the District 2 commissioner, will be joined in 2013 by David Berry from District 1 and Don Walton from District 3.

While Hoff will not be officially serving the county any longer, Fogle gave him credit for helping make a smooth transition.

"He did offer to help Jim get started," Fogle said, "and I appreciate that."

Ensley has served the county as a deputy prosecutor for two years. He is also the town attorney for both Bainbridge and Russellville.

There are no indications from county officials he will have to give up his position in the prosecutor's office to serve in his new role.

No other annually-appointed positions saw any change. Those re-appointed included Kathy Van Arsdale, microfilm director; Jerry Williamson, Veterans Affairs officer; Cindy Cox, Veterans Affairs assistant; Jim Smith and Clint Maddox, county highway co-supervisors; Radene Varvel, county highway administrative assistant; Brenda Turner, county highway secretary; Tom Gilson, maintenance supervisor; Brian Smith, head custodian; Mike Phillips, custodian; Ken Hutcheson, part-time custodian; Sandy Amers, county planner; and Dave Costin, 911 director.