Top Marion officials impacted by COVID

County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes

Two of Marion County government’s top administrators have been impacted by the COVID-19 virus.

County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes is hospitalized with the virus, County Commission Kathy Bryant said.

Also, the husband of Assistant County Administrator of Public Services Jeannie Rickman, Delmon “Rick” Rickman, died this week of the coronavirus.

Bryant on Thursday said Bouyounes remained hospitalized, was not on a ventilator and was improving.

Meanwhile, Rick Rickman, 69, died on Oct. 18 of the coronavirus. Bryant said the Rickmans had just moved into their new house five days before Rick Rickman fell ill.

Bryant asked the community for prayers for Bouyounes and Rickman and assured the public that county operations are functioning normally in the two’s absence.

“We have a terrific team, and they are doing a terrific job,” she said.