Brian McMahan’s ascension to the chairmanship of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners brings with it a new measure of responsibility for a young man just getting his feet wet in politics. There are problems to address that demand strong, progressive leadership. Observers of Jackson County politics will find out a lot about McMahan’s leadership skills over the next weeks.

In a first test of his skills, McMahan came up short. Mondy night county commissioners let Joe Cowan’s motion to enact a moratorium on shooting ranges dies for lack of a second. As board chairman, McMahan could have seconded Cowan’s motion. This would have led to a discussion by commissioners and the opportunity for McMahan and each person on the board to express — on the record — their opinions on this divisive issue. Then a vote would have staked out each person’s position. Regardless of how one feels about shooting ranges, it is important for elected leaders to make their opinions known by voting.

Still ahead for the Jackson commissioners is the need to resolve the Economic Development Commission and Airport Authority mess. It is clear that the EDC was lacking a clear mission, and that McClures role in the revolving loan program, the EDC and the Airport Authority makes him a convenient scapegoat for any problems. However, aside from a fear (now seemingly unfounded) that a foreclosure on one of the loans was imminent, it isn’t clear just what spurred the decision to call for an investigation into the EDC and the subsequent shake-up.

The make-up of the EDC in Jackson County is odd. It includes representatives from the county, the towns, and the colleges, and then the members select their own chairman. Despite the fact that the county is the primary funding agency and provides administrative staff, it has little authority over the group’s actions and priorities.

While spreading the power of the EDC around may sound reasonable, in reality it leaves the commission somewhat rudderless. Since it operates on tax money — whether it be local or from state or federal grants — power should always come back to the taxpayers. That means the elected officials, not appointees, should have the final say.

The parties involved need to come to the table, look at other commissions doing similar work and develop a better set of bylaws. If EDC Chairman Tom McClure is not guilty of anything, then that needs to be made clear. As it is now, McClure is made a scapegoat and the ensuing negative publicity is just not good for Jackson County.

When the EDC came under investigation by the county, McClure was also removed from his appointment as the Airport Authority chairman. In addition, Jim Rowell was removed as secretary-treasurer while remaining as an authority member. It seems these actions were taken simply as an addendum to the EDC shake-up with no one offering any real evidence that the Jackson County Airport Authority had committed any misdeeds or done anything wrong.

These actions by the commissioners may not be legal, and a court case is pending. More importantly, though, is the reputation of all involved. A reputation for integrity and honesty is earned through years of service and hard work. Jackson County leaders have impugned the reputations of these men without offering hard evidence of wrongdoing.

McMahan inherited a board that has made a couple of controversial decisions that are in dire need of resolution. The actions he takes to deal with them will go a long way toward establishing his reputation. There is much resting on the outcome.