Mark Bishop has clarified his reason for seeking a Private Act of the state legislature to allow the county commission to choose the county attorney. Bishop said the deciding factor was a veto by County Executive Mike Stinnett when the commission voted to hire Jimmy Logan to represent them in the library lawsuit.

Stinnett, who later hired Logan, said the county executive, not the commission, has the right to hire the attorney. Bishop said he doesn’t blame Stinnett for wanting to protect the rights of his office but added, “We’re the ones that get sued. I don’t want somebody else picking my representation.” He said many of the commissioners were unhappy with the veto, noting he made it plain at the time that he would be introducing the request for a private act to change the selection process.

Stinnett was quoted last week as saying he thought comments made by Denny Mobbs about the library were a key reason for the requested change. Bishop said that was a factor but the veto was the major reason.