“DeKalb County suffered a devastating loss of Tax Commissioner Tom Scott, as one of Georgia's tallest pines has fallen,” Jones said. “Tom Scott was one of the best Tax Commissioners in the State of Georgia and he will be sorely missed.”

DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones told County commissioners of Scott’s passing during a commission work session today, October 17th. “Our Tax Commissioner Tom Scott passed this morning,” Jones said, interrupting a presentation to the commission.

Scott, first elected as county tax commissioner in 1992, collected taxes for the county and the school system. Prior to his service in this capacity, Tom Scott served in the Georgia State Senate as a Democrat from DeKalb County.

“Tom Scott was a true public servant,” said Executive Assistant Richard Stogner. “He was such a positive force—really, really a positive man,” said Commissioner Kathie Gannon. “If every elected official was as dedicated as Tom Scott, we would have far fewer problems than we have today,” said longtime friend and community activist Joe Arrington. He said Tom was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year. He noted that Scott’s wife Jacqueline Scott spent 12 years on the county commission.

DeKalb CEO Jones has ordered flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Scott.

Linda Edmonds stated "beyond all that, he was a long-time friend, and I will miss his smiling face. Please watch the news for funeral arrangements and let's have a good contingency of respect for this long-time loyal DeKalb Democrat public servant."

Source: DeKalb Democratic Party