The newcomer on the Lawrence County Commission will be in the driver's seat during 2004.

Doug Malone was chosen by his fellow two commissioners Monday

to serve as president of the county board. Malone is starting his second year in office.

Different from years past, the commission opted not to elect a vice-president who would preside over meetings when Malone is absent.

"We think we'll rotate that this year," out-going commission president George Patterson said. "Jason can handle one meeting and I can handle the next. It just doesn't look good to have one person down as president, one as vice president and one person down as a member. I think we work well enough together."

The board opted to keep its regular weekly meetings at 9 a.m. on Thursday, and to continue its 9 a.m. Tuesday work session, an idea proposed by Malone.

"Fifty percent of the time we have people with problems show up," Malone said. "This gives us time to talk to them and it gives them two options (Tuesday and Thursday) to be here."

Although the tight budget will occupy much of their time and attention this year, commissioners said they look forward to 2004 and see some bright spots on the region's economic horizon.

"I'm enthused about Sun Coke," Patterson said. "They've only talked about one phase, but I think we'll see more. It's going to be environmentally friendly. And then there's The Point. I think things will happen there."

Stephens expressed similar sentiments at Thursday's meeting.

"Duke, Calpine, Sun Coke, the industrial park in Ironton and a lot of transportation positives (such as) the Chesapeake Bypass, the third lane in Proctorville … I see some economic improvement," he said.

Malone said he would like to see an economic development fund to assist the county in its efforts to attract new business and industry.