Clayton News Daily

By Michael Davis

One of Henry County's top government officials is no longer with the county though the circumstances surrounding his departure remained unclear Friday.

County Manager Linda Angus would not say whether Chief Administrative Division Officer John White was fired or resigned.

"He has separated from the county and been given a small severance package," she said.

The Administrative Division oversees several county departments including human resources, finance, elections and registrar and purchasing.

The administrative officer is also the county's liaison to the Board of Education.

Commission Chairman Leland Maddox said White was let go in the middle of the week. "He's been gone since Wednesday," he said.

White was first named as Human Resources Director in January 2003. He was later named to his most recent position in May.

A county spokesman said that White would stay with the county in a consulting capacity until his replacement is hired. There was no immediate word on who that would be.

Angus said that all of the top division heads would be taking over aspects of his duties until a new chief officer is found.

Before working for the county, White was in charge of human resources departments in the private sector.

Efforts to reach White were unsuccessful.