Childers chosen as Laurens’ new county attorney

The Laurens County Commission voted Tuesday to name local lawyer Brad Childers as the new county attorney.

Childers will replace longtime county attorney Billy Kight, who passed away Jan. 9. Kight served in the position for more than 30 years and often mentioned Childers as his logical successor, Commission Chairman Jimmy Rogers said.

“Billy said one day he was going to retire and go home. … God called him home early,” Rogers said. “But he would always bring up a name – Brad Childers. He thought very highly of you, Brad.”

Childers, a trial lawyer and former prosecutor, said he has mostly practiced criminal law but was eager to step into his new role Feb. 16 in civil and government law.

“I appreciate the opportunity, but I didn’t want it this way. I wanted someone (Kight) to lean on,” Childers said.

“I appreciate the confidence you’ve got in me. I’m just asking for patience,” he told the commissioners. 

“Most of my career was in criminal court, but I’m ready to learn new laws, new ordinances.”

Commissioner Kevin Tanner said Childers’ hiring “was an easy decision for us.”

Also Tuesday, the commission:

• Approved a low bid of about $681,000 by Reeves Construction for the county’s next list of smaller resurfacing projects.

County Administrator Bryan Rogers said about 90 percent of the projects are in the county’s smaller cities and towns.

• Approved the purchase of three new pickup trucks – at $48,500 each – two for Rural Fire and one for Emergency Medical Services. The purchases will be made with SPLOST (special purpose local option sales tax) proceeds, but will be delayed until more sales tax revenue is collected. 

• Tabled discussion on the purchase of the new flashing-message signs.