<< Back 11/27/02 McMahan part of youth movement on Jackson board By Don Hendershot Willets community resident Brian McMahan may be one of the youngest commissioners ever elected in Jackson County. The 27-year-old Democrat may be a newcomer on the political scene, but personally it was a long time coming. “I knew, in elementary school that I wanted to serve the public,” McMahan said. “I like to be involved in organizations, professional or volunteer. I enjoy trying to do things to help people.” McMahan is a volunteer firefighter and recently accepted the position of assistant chief of security at Balsam Mountain Preserve. Before that he spent most of six years working with or for the county. As a political science major at WCU, McMahan was a “Year of the Mountains” intern with the county planning office. After graduation, he worked for five years as a 911 dispatcher before the move to Balsam Mountain. “I spent roughly six years at the justice center and got to see how the system worked. I believe that experience will serve me well as a commissioner, especially when dealing with county employees, because I’ve been there.” McMahan said the idea to file began to take shape when he learned that commissioner Conrad Burrell was not going to seek re-election in District 2. “Conrad is a good friend, and I would not have run if he were going to seek re-election,” McMahan said. “I spent a lot of quiet time, on my own, deciding whether or not to run. When I decided I would run, I conferred with my family and close friends. No party people contacted me.” When asked how he would balance a full-time job with commissioner’s duties, McMahan said, “I have a daily planner, and I’m the kind of person who lives by a schedule. I know it will be time consuming but I’m prepared to give it my 100-percent best shot.” One issue that McMahan singled out as high on his list is the completion of the new Department of Social Services facility. He praised the outgoing board for starting the project and said it was one the county sorely needed. Another newcomer to the board will be Eddie Madden of Cashiers in District 4. Madden is 31. McMahan said he has heard a lot of support in the community for the new blood. “I believe we have a good board. I hope I will be able to look back after four years at a lot of good accomplishments.” New Jackson County commissioners will be sworn in Monday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. in Courtroom Two of the Jackson County Justice and Administration Building. An organizational meeting will follow the swearing-in.