Dec 1

Dec 1 Two Thomasville board members request leaves of absence

{Photos from the city of Thomasville website and social media}

Days before the swearing in ceremony, the city of Thomasville announced the leaves of absence for Ron Bratton and Jeannette Shepherd. Both have requested leaves of absence through March 1, 2024 for health issues. City Council has approved the dual requests.

Both Bratton and Shepherd held seats on the council that were not up for reelection in November.

Effective immediately, former Council Member Pat Harris Shelton will become interim council member for Ron Bratton. Former Council Member Neal Grimes will become interim council member for Jeannette Shepherd. Andrew Richards, director of the Davidson County Board of Elections, said that he was unaware of the requests. He confirmed that such appointments are within the Thomasville City Council’s judgement.

The seven-person elected council will move forward with swearing in JacQuez Johnson on Monday, December 4 at the Thomasville Aquatic Center on 10 Salem St, Thomasville at 6 p.m.

Johnson is the only newly elected council member. At 23 years old, he will be sworn in as the youngest African American Thomasville City Councilman and one of the youngest elected officials in North Carolina.

The changes will not impact the ceremony. A statement from Raleigh York assured the council's appointments of Shelton and Grimes would help operations move forward. "The city believes the experience of these former council members will allow our city government to continue to move forward smoothly," York said. "We sincerely wish Council Members Bratton and Shepherd a speedy recovery."