Morris Henderson announced Tuesday his plans to step down aftermore than 22 years as Lincoln County coroner-medical examiner, buthe asked supervisors to allow him to remain with the county in alesser role.

“I’m not a quitter. I’ve never quit anything in my life,”Henderson said while stating his plans to retire April 31.

The retiring county official cited personal issues, includinghis wife’s and daughter’s deaths and his recent remarriage, asreasons for his decision. Henderson said Tuesday was not a good dayfor him.

“I can’t continue to handle the job like I have in the past,”Henderson said, adding that he would be meeting with the stateretirement board Tuesday afternoon to make his plans official.

The end of April, though, will not be the end of Henderson’sservice to the county.

“I have no intentions of walking out on (April) 31,” Hendersonsaid.

Henderson asked supervisors to appoint him as a deputy coroner.He said he would get paid only when he goes on a call and couldcover for the full-time coroner when needed.

“It’s hard to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week,”Henderson said.

Henderson indicated he was proud his actions as coroner neverresulted in the county facing a lawsuit, which is becoming morecommon in the sensitive area in the listing of a person’s cause ofdeath. He hoped his staying on as deputy would allow that trend tocontinue.

“I’m going to do what I can to keep the county from getting in alawsuit when the new person comes on board,” Henderson said.

As word of his plans spread in recent days, Henderson said hehad 18 calls Monday from people inquiring about who the replacementwill be. He said that decision is up to the board of supervisors,and he will support it.

Deputy coroners Robert Tyler and Clay McMorris would appear tobe the front-runners. Tyler has been a deputy for more than 20years and McMorris for more than eight, Henderson said.

Since Henderson’s retirement comes more than six months beforethe general election, board attorney Bob Attorney said supervisorswill appoint a new coroner in April. A special election to fill theremainder of Henderson’s term will be in November.

“You’ll elect a new one this November,” Allen said.

In other business Tuesday, supervisors heard from residentsOmand Brister and Nolan Vinzant about a county ordinance regardingseptic tanks.

“We’re down here to see if we can something passed that everyonehas a septic tank,” Brister said.

Brister mentioned several areas where county home sewerdischarge is going unchecked and the smell is causing problems.Vinzant, who does plumbing work around the county, also mentionedseveral areas and multiple homes getting service off one watertap.

“The regulations are not enforced if they do have them,” Vinzantsaid.

Harry Taylor, inspector with the Lincoln County HealthDepartment, said residents are supposed to file a notice of intentto locate a home and pay a $50 fee. The health department then doesa soil survey on the proposed site.

“They’re dodging the law when they do that,” Taylor said inresponse to Brister’s and Vinzant’s comments.

Taylor said residents with complaints about sewer discharge mayfile a complaint with the health department. He said the departmentwould then conduct an investigation and pursue action throughjustice court if needed.

A meeting with Brister, Vinzant, health department and ruralwater association officials and supervisors was suggested todiscuss the septic tank situation. That gathering is expectedduring supervisors’ next meeting on March 4.

Also Tuesday, supervisors awarded a $252,971 contract to Glen W.Leonard Inc., of Mount Olive, for two bridge projects on Park HillLane and Somerset Road. The bid, the lowest of three received, wasbelow engineer’s estimate of $315,872.

In a letter to supervisors, Inventory Control Clerk Nikki McGrawwas recognized by state audit officials for her work in a recentproperty inventory audit. The letter said McGraw was”well-prepared” and that all county property, vehicles andbuildings were accounted for

Supervisors approved chancery clerk Tillmon Bishop’s plans toschedule a workshop following the board’s decision for LincolnCounty to be a County of Character. Brookhaven, which aldermenearlier designated as a City of Character, will be asked to assistwith plans for the program that encourage morals and good communityactivities.