Niemann Shares Process of Choosing Successor to Guffey as Coroner

Effingham County Board Chairman Jim Niemann Friday announced the process of choosing a successor to County Coroner Duane Guffey, who died Thursday night.

Niemann said state statutes name the county sheriff, in this case Effingham County Sheriff Dave Mahon, as acting coroner until the process of choosing a successor is completed.

In the meantime, Niemann has three days following Guffey's death to notify Effingham County Republican Central Committee Chairman Rob Arnold of the vacancy, since Guffey was elected as a Republican. Arnold will then notify Niemann of a name suggested by the committee. Niemann will then present the name to the full County Board. Once the Board approves a person to fill the vacancy, that person will be sworn in to fill the position until December 1, 2018.

The process is to be completed within 60 days.

The Democrat and Republican parties will be able to caucus and present a nominee to run for the office of coroner in a special election to be held in conjunction with the general election this November. Those nominations must be received by the County Clerk's office by the end of business on June 4.

Niemann also took time to thank all of those who assisted in treating Guffey Thursday evening, and all of those who have assisted in working through the process of filling the vacancy in the coroner's office due to Guffey's death.