Lincoln County supervisors Monday appointed Vedia Grace Givens,wife of the late District 1 Supervisor Cliff Givens, to fill theremainder of his term.

Supervisors said it was a common practice to appoint a familymember to complete the term of a supervisor who dies in office.They said Vedia Givens’ appointment was in line with her latehusband’s wishes.

“That was his request,” said District 3 Supervisor and BoardPresident Nolan Earl Williamson. “With me, that was one of the mainreasons.”

County officials said Vedia Givens would be sworn in as soon aspossible after some necessary paper work is completed and JudgeMike Smith’s schedule would allow. They hoped to have the swearingin sometime this week.

Cliff Givens, 76, died Oct. 26 after a lengthy illness. He wasin his sixth term as supervisor of District 1.

When reached for comment, Vedia Givens said she had some “bigshoes to fill.”

“I feel it’s an honor,” she said of the appointment. “It’s anhonor to carry out his 24th year.”

Mrs. Givens indicated she would be working with other countyofficials to complete some projects her husband had started. Shementioned the County Farm Road between Highway 84 and MonticelloStreet as one example of her husband’s efforts to help the countyand its citizens.

“He loved the county, and he loved to do for them,” Mrs. Givenssaid.

A special election is not needed because the next opportunitywould correspond with next year’s regularly-scheduled elections forsupervisor and other county officials. Mrs. Givens said she had notthought about being a candidate next year.

“It’s just an honor to carry out his time,” she said. “That’sall that’s on my mind now.”

Cliff Givens was vice-president of the board. District 2Supervisor Bobby J. Watts was named vice-president Monday.

In other business during a routine meeting, supervisors acceptedbids for duct work to address a mold problem behind the taxcollector’s office in the government complex. The two bids were for$21,000 and $28,000.

Funds for the project are expected to come from bond money leftover after construction of the county’s new jail. CountyAdministrator David Fields said the county was trying to hold thatmoney for government complex roof repairs.

“This is becoming a more immediate need,” Fields said of theduct work needs.

Supervisors did not award a bid Monday. Bids were taken underadvisement and turned over to the county engineer for review.