ELIZABETHTOWN — Albert C. Beatty, 64, a Bladen County resident with a Harrells address has been appointed by the Bladen County Commissioners to fill the county commissioner's seat left open by the sudden deaths of Margaret Lewis-Moore and Stanley Richardson.

Lewis-Moore died shortly after having surgery in early February.

Richardson was originally appointed to fill the seat in February, but Richardson and his mother Beuelah both died Wednesday, March 10, in an auto crash. He was scheduled to take the oath for the seat on Tuesday, April 6.

Director of Bladen County Elections Larry Hammond explained to the commissioners during their regular meeting they have to fill the empty seat within 60 days. The last day for the seat to be filled was April 7.

In an interview at the Bladen Journal on Wednesday, Beatty said, “It is very unfortunate to have lost two good people that have given so much to the citizens of Bladen County. I am delighted that the county commissioners have appointed me to this position. I promise to serve the citizens of Bladen County to the best of my ability.”

Beatty will be sworn in during the regular monthly meeting of the Bladen County Commissioners on Tuesday, April 6.