Current Assistant Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn was named acting county prosecutor yesterday at the Athens County Commissioners Central Committee meeting.
Appointed by a 2-0 vote, Blackburn will serve as acting county prosecutor until the committee appoints an interim prosecutor June 7.
“I was very happy. The central committee made the proper decision,” Blackburn said, adding he served as assistant county prosecutor for four years and has held leadership positions inside the office.
“(My appointment) will help keep unity in the office,” he said.
Current County Prosecutor C. David Warren’s term is finished in 2012, but he announced last month he would resign effective May 31.
Warren cited personal and budgetary concerns as reasons for his resignation. He also announced in January he would not seek another term in the 2012 election.
Warren began as the county prosecutor in 2001, after serving as the Magistrate of the Athens County Juvenile Court.
The interim prosecutor will serve from June 7 until the next prosecutor is chosen in the 2012 election. Both Blackburn and Athens City Law Director Pat Lang are seeking appointment as interim prosecutor.
Blackburn announced his candidacy for the election Feb. 2, while Lang announced his April 29.
A graduate of Ohio University, Lang has served as city law director since 2007. Lang said he is not overly concerned about running against Blackburn.
“We will both make our cases,” Lang said.
Blackburn said his experience, including his appointment as acting prosecutor, will show that he deserves the office.
“I am confident the race will be fair and the decision will be based on information and experience,” he added.
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