Leckta L. Poling, who has served as the Barbour County Prosecuting Attorney for nearly six years but was defeated in this year’s election, was named to the position that was held by Lori A. Haynes until she was elected as Randolph County Family Court judge in November.

“As the Commission is aware, Lori Haynes, my current assistant prosecuting attorney, was elected to be family court judge and she’s anticipating working out the rest of the year and then taking her position as family court judge in January,” Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Parker said. “Obviously, that would mean I’d need to hire a new assistant prosecuting attorney to take her place.

“After conducting interviews with an interviewing committee consisting of myself and my assistant prosecuting attorneys, we had several qualified applicants, but there was one that was above the other ones,” Parker said. “So, I’m seeking an approval from the Commission to hire Leckta Poling.”

Parker said he believes Poling will be able to quickly begin serving in her new capacity, thanks to her background in Barbour County.

Haynes

“She is currently the Barbour County Prosecuting Attorney and it is clear from her interviews that she could come in and, essentially, perform any job in the office based upon her previous experience, which was, obviously, a positive aspect to requesting to hire her,” Parker said.

He noted Poling would be taking the full-time, benefited position beginning Jan. 3, at a rate of $63,240, which is the same as Haynes, so no additional money from the Commission was being requested. She will be placed on a 90-day probationary period, as required by county policy.

Randolph County Commission President Mike Taylor said he believes Poling will be a good addition to the prosecuting attorney’s office.

“I thing you’re (Parker) fortunate. I think the county is fortunate that we’ve found somebody with Ms. Poling’s experience and her background,” Taylor said. “As you said, there was a lot of applicants, but at the end of the day, Barbour County’s loss is Randolph County’s gain.”

Haynes has served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Randolph County since Nov. 1, 2012, and beat out incumbent Michele Good for the family court judge position.

Poling took over the roll of Barbour County Prosecuting Attorney on Jan. 1, 2011, and served in that capacity until she was defeated by Jodie Boylen in this year’s election.

In other business:

• The Commission unanimously approved writing a letter of support and agreeing, in principle, to a $10,000 match of funds for the Randolph County Historical Society.

The organization plans to apply for a $10,000 Daughters of the American Revolution grant to provide climate control to the Bosworth Store building in Beverly. The grant, which is for $10,000, required a match of funds to be considered by the DAR.

• The Commission unanimously approved a revised Randolph County Employee Personnel Manual.

Taylor said issues were “tweaked and revised” within the manual, including an anti-bullying/workplace violence policy, travel expense reimbursement policy, worker’s compensation policy and cellular phone usage policy.

A training session for all department heads and elected officials is slated for January.

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Commissioners unanimously approved Davis & Elkins College student Erika Alfred to continue as an intern in the North Central Community Corrections office during the winter and spring school terms, up to 240 hours.

Alfred interned with NCCC through the spring term.