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GREENSBORO — Herb Hendrickson is, finally, the final member of an elected board to take his seat, after the man who won the most votes in November’s election never claimed the position.

The state Soil and Water Conservation Commission approved Hendrickson last week to take the place of Kirk Perkins, who received the most votes but couldn’t be found to take his seat and might have filed his candidacy under an assumed name.

Hendrickson, a past member of the board, finished third in the election. But Guilford soil and water Chairman George Teague said his selection was fair because there was no way of knowing how the votes would have lined up if Perkins had not participated. Andy Courts finished second in the election.

The Guilford Soil and Water Board of Supervisors recommended Hendrickson’s appointment to the state commission after Perkins didn’t claim his seat.

“Mr. Courts is very well qualified,” Teague said. “He would have been a very good board member, but we don’t know him as well as we knew Herb.”

Andy Courts was not satisfied with the state commission’s decision.

“Kirk Perkins would have been seated in that position without any kind of qualification or anything if he had shown up at the first meeting, so that’s not the issue,” Courts said. “I finished second, I deserve the place. It’s as simple as that.”

Hendrickson could not be reached for comment.

After winning, Perkins didn’t show to claim the unpaid post that spends about $100,000 annually for conservation projects.

County elections staff couldn’t find him.

Perkins’ last known address was in High Point, but officials haven’t found him there except to serve him legal papers.

A past landlord of Perkins’ said he hasn’t been able to reach his former tenant to collect back rent because he might have changed his name.

An error discovered in Perkins’ voting registration caused his candidacy to be dismissed.

Perkins is not related to Guilford County Commissioner C.F. “Kirk” Perkins III.

The State Board of Elections has considered reviewing its rules as a result of this situation, according to state board officials.

But either way, the county elections board has changed its policies to prevent another similar situation. Elections workers will ensure that candidates are eligible to vote by checking a state-issued identification when they file for election.

“It’s set up to try to keep people from trying to do this stuff on Election Day but not when they file for office,” said Charlie Collicutt, the county deputy director of elections.
 

Contact Sonja Elmquist at 373-7090 or sonja.elmquist@news-record.com