By Leah Justice

leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

Former Polk County Commissioner Ted Owens was nominated this week to finish out the term of commissioner Tom Pack who passed away earlier this month.

The Polk County Republican Party Executive Committee met Tuesday, March 22 and nominated Owens.

The nomination will go to the Polk County Board of Commissioners for final approval at the county’s next meeting, scheduled for April 4.

The nomination was necessary following Pack’s untimely death on March 7 after suffering a fall on Feb. 26. He was 51 years old.

Pack was up for re-election this year, but chose not to run, so the term will expire in December 2016 following the Nov. 8 election.

Pack served as a Polk County commissioner for 12 years, first elected in 2004 as the high-vote getter with a four-year term. Pack lost the next election in 2008 but ran again in 2010 where he won a two-year term and again in 2012 when he won a four-year term.

Owens said he is honored to serve out Pack’s term but will do so with a heavy heart. Owens said Pack’s knowledge cannot be replaced and his presence will be sorely missed.

Prior to his nomination, Owens was the Republican party’s chairman but resigned that role this week. Cheryl Every is the new chair of the Republican Party following Owens’ nomination.

During the executive committee vote on Tuesday at the Republican headquarters, Owens was the only nomination.

Pack was a Republican so the nomination to fill his term had to be done by the Republican Party Executive Committee. The board of commissioners will have to officially accept the nomination before it is official.

At the county’s next meeting when the nomination is accepted, the board of commissioners will also likely appoint a new chair of the board.

The board of commissioners for the last two meetings has been led by vice chair Keith Holbert.

During the county’s March 7 meeting, commissioners all asked for prayers for Pack and his family, when Pack was in intensive care. Pack died sometime on March 7.

During the county’s Monday, March 21 meeting, all commissioners and Myron Yoder, who led the county in prayer, mentioned the loss of Pack.

Commissioner Shane Bradley asked the county to remember the Pack family.

“Please hold the ones you care about and love deep,” Bradley said. “Accidents can happen at any time.”

Commissioner Michael Gage said he missed commissioner Pack greatly and Holbert sent condolences to the Pack family.

Commissioner Ray Gasperson also sent condolences to Pack’s family and friends and everyone who worked with Pack, saying he, too, very much grieved for his passing.