Advisory panel shocked and surprised by Pearson’s step down

After eight years, Frankie Pearson’s life is headed in a different direction.  That was part of Pearson’s explanation at the start of the Oconee Planning Commission meeting when he told his colleagues he’s resigning.  The resignation leaves open the District Four seat on the commission, and last night left his colleagues to choose a new chairman.  “I need to be somewhere else,” Pearson said.  But he explained that he leaves with a satisfaction of having served and a confidence that the commissioners will do well in serving as planning advisors to the county council.  The commissioners voted to elect at-large member Mike Johnson new chairman.  Johnson, now the most senior planning commissioner, won the chairmanship besting Gary Gaulin by a 4 to 2 vote.  Don Nix was chosen vice-chairman.