It is possible that a replacement for former 3rd District Superviser Jeff Stone may be appointed by the end of January, according to John Benoit, 4th District supervisor.

Near the end of last week’s Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting, Benoit, who had stepped out, asked to speak.

“I don’t normally leave during a board meeting, but I was expecting a call from Mona Pasquil, the governor’s [Jerry Brown] appointment secretary,” Benoit stated.

He had called her to describe his experience in 2009, when former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed him to the board to replace former Supervisor Roy Wilson. He urged her to expedite the decision.

“I’m pleased to report … she is shooting to get something done in January,” Benoit said. “Her goal is to have an appointment in line by sometime in January; although she said ‘I don’t make the decision.’”