Greene County Commission receives resignation letters

Photo provided by Greene County

Lincoln Hough

Photo provided by Greene County

Lee Ann Walker

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The Greene County Commission yesterday received two resignation letters — one that was expected and one that wasn’t.

Commissioner Lincoln Hough resigned to take his elected post as state senator for the 30th District. Greene County Public Administrator Lee Ann Walker unexpectedly submitted her resignation letter over health concerns, according to a news release.

Hough, a Republican, is headed back to the statehouse after winning his campaign against Democrat Charlie Norr in November.

Hough was elected a county commissioner in August 2016. He previously was a state representative for Springfield, serving 2011-17.

Gov. Mike Parson is charged with filling the commission vacancy.

In a separate resignation letter presented to the commission, Walker cited health reasons for exiting the post she’s held since Jan. 1, 2017. She was elected in November 2016.

The release cited an undisclosed “severe, long-term physical illness.”

“We want to thank Ms. Walker for her service to the citizens of Greene County and we wish her a speedy recovery to good health,” Greene County Presiding Commissioner Bob Dixon said in the release. “In the interim, the county is committed to continuing to serve the individuals and estates entrusted with their affairs through the public administrator’s office.”

The county’s public administrator oversees guardianship for mentally disabled residents, serves as representative for deceased estates and works as the conservator of minor estates. The administrator’s office currently oversees 600 wards.

The commission yesterday voted to appoint retired Greene County Public Administrator David Yancey as the interim leader of the office. Yancey will serve in the role until the governor appoints a successor, according to the release.