Drug Free Dickson Coalition names Anita O’Dell its new coordinator

The Drug Free Dickson Coalition has its second new coordinator in two months while a special prosecutor has cleared the founding coordinator of any criminal activity. The coalition’s board named Anita O’Dell as the new coordinator and she assumed the position Thursday. Last month the board announced that Enoch Lankford, a former police officer and trooper, would be the new coordinator. But Lankford said after meetings with state officials who oversee the coalition’s grant funding, he determined the position would require more time commitment than he is able to make. Lankford said between his duties as a pastor, a bus driver, chaplain and his family, he did not feel he would be able to give the coalition the time and effort it deserves. O’Dell had been one of the finalists considered for the position when it was searching for a replacement for founding coordinator Dan Buckner, who resigned in June citing personal reasons. An investigation by 22^nd Judicial District Attorney Mike Bottoms concluded that board policies regarding reimbursement and other financial issues were violated by Buckner, but none of his actions would warrant criminal prosecution. The coalition board established procedures for reimbursement of expenses, but Bottoms said Buckner violated those by using a coalition ATM card to reimburse himself and also issued two paychecks to himself in violation of policies. Bottoms was asked to review the facts by District Attorney Dan Alsobrooks, who said his office has a conflict of interest because one of his assistants serves on the coalition board. The coalition is still planning to have a community meeting at 6 pm Thursday at the Dickson County Emergency Medical Services building on Cowan Road to introduce O’Dell as the new coordinator. For more information on the coalition, call 686-3128.