The Cumberland County Commission voted yesterday to accept 3rd District Commissioner Rebecca Stone’s resignation, which will take effect on De. 16th this year upon the swearing-in of the newly appointed Commissioner taking her seat.

The Commission will meet on Dec. 16 to appoint Stone’s replacement.

However, the vote on the terms of Stone’s resignation, that being her departure upon the swearing-in of a replacement, was met with some contention. 5th District Commissioner Terry Lowe voiced the opinion that Stone’s resignation should be immediate, as that was how previous resignations had been done up to this point and there may be some possible illegality.

However, County Attorney Philip Burnett was quick to say he had consulted with County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) who assured him of the resolution’s legality.

A question raised by 2nd District Commissioner Hyder was if Stone could go back on the resignation if Stone didn’t approve of the new appointee. Burnett said the resolution locks in Stone’s resignation to Dec. 16th, the moment a new appointee is sworn in.

The resolution was approved 12-6, with Terry Lowe, Wiley Potter, Sue York, Nancy Hyder, Charles Seiber and Darrell Threet opposed.