[10/27/04]District 3 Election Commissioner LaShondra Stewart defended her service today, denying the commission chairman’s statement that she has shirked her duties for much of this year.

Stewart, who is not seeking re-election and whose term expires at the end of the year, also said she will work without pay to complete her duties.

“I have no explanation of why he feels that way,” she said about comments reported Tuesday from District 1 Commissioner and Chairman Johnny Brewer. Brewer said work distributed to Stewart had been left undone and that other commissioners had worked overtime this year to compensate for her absence.

The five commissioners are elected from supervisor districts and set their own schedules. They are required to work five hours a day to receive credit for a day’s pay of $70, and can be paid only for a certain number of days each year. The number in ordinary election years is 100, and that is the case this year.

Time sheets Stewart submitted to the Warren County Chancery Clerk’s Office indicated Stewart had worked her allotted days by Oct. 1, the payroll staff has confirmed.

County officials also confirmed that the State Auditor’s office began an investigation about a year ago, and that a request for Stewart’s payroll records was made as part of that investigation. The auditor, however, has neither confirmed nor denied that the investigation has existed.

“I don’t know exactly what’s bringing this on,” Stewart said, responding by telephone. “I do my work. I have earned my $7,000 for the year, and I am no longer interested in the position.”

Stewart also commented indirectly on the work habits of other commissioners, without mentioning names.

“I don’t have time to sit at the courthouse drinking coffee, talking football and running a business,” she said.

The other commissioners are Retha Summers of District 2, Gordon Carr of District 5 and interim appointee Bill Lauderdale of District 4.

Commissioners’ responsibilities include maintaining voter rolls, coordinating all election operations and certifying results.

Brewer said he and other commissioners had not seen Stewart for much of this year and that a rush of work was under way preparing for Tuesday’s general election. Stewart noted that being seen at work is not necessary for a commissioner to do her job.

Asked about her work schedule, Stewart replied, “It depends on the day. I work in Jackson.” Some days she has come in about 5 p.m., done some work in the commission offices and taken the rest home, she said.

“That’s not a new practice,” she added. “I’m not the first commissioner who’s ever done this.”

Stewart, who has served one four-year term, added that she is working on a doctorate and that is why she is not seeking re-election.

“I will continue my duties until the end of the year, because that’s what the citizens of District 3 deserve,” she said.

The two candidates who are seeking the post this year are Lurline Green, 57, a retired nurse and longtime poll manager and worker, and Patricia Reed, 25, a hairstylist.

Their names will be on ballots in the district Tuesday.