Lanett, Valley leadership teams takes oath of office

BY JOHN BRICE

THE LAFAYETTE SUN

LANETT — Newly elected council members and Mayor Jamie Heard were sworn in during the Lanett City Council meeting Monday, Nov. 3. City Attorney Stanley Gray welcomed attendees to the ceremony.

“We are here on such a joyous occasion,” Gray said. “Any time that we can be here to swear in new persons to this city council — you all have participated in the election process and we have made choices. Now we get to enjoy this time of swearing in these wonderful people into office.”

Gray outlined the order of the swearing-in process, beginning with Mayor Jamie Heard, followed by incoming council members Denise Zachery, Krisse Story, Brad Lynn, Charles Bagley and Kim Roberts.

Following Heard’s oath, each newly elected council member was sworn in individually.

In Other Business

- The council approved a resolution to elect the mayor pro tempore and set the term of office. Newly sworn-in Council Member Denise Zachery will serve the first 10 months of the term, after which the position will rotate among council members.

- City Attorney Stanley Gray was appointed and sworn in by Chambers County Probate Judge Paul Story.

- The council approved the hiring of City Clerk/Treasurer Deborah Gilbert, who was sworn in during the meeting.

- Council Member Brad Lynn was appointed chairperson of the Finance, Personnel, Insurance and Airport Committee, joined by Council Member Zachery.

- Council Member Denise Zachery was appointed chairperson of the Police and School Committee, joined by Council Member Kim Roberts.

- Council Member Krisse Story was appointed chairperson of the Streets, Sewer, Water, Cemetery, Building and Grounds Committee, joined by Council Member Lynn.

- Council Member Charles Bagley was appointed chairperson of the Fire, Emergency Medical Services and Recreation Committee, joined by Council Member Story.

- The council approved the hiring of Denise McCain as police chief. She was sworn in during the meeting.

- The council also approved the hiring of Matt Shiver as fire and EMS chief. He was sworn in following the vote.

At the conclusion of the meeting, newly elected Lanett City Schools board members were sworn in. The ceremony ended with brief remarks from Superintendent Jennifer Boyd.

VALLEY — Recently elected city council members and Mayor Leonard Riley were sworn in during the Valley City Council meeting Monday night at City Hall.

Fifth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Terrence A. Brown conducted the swearing-in ceremony for Mayor Leonard Riley as well as Council Members Jim Clark, Jim L. Jones, Randall Maddux, Desmond Reece, Kendall Andrews, Jolanda Barnes and Jimmy Gilson. Each official placed their left hand on the Bible and raised their right hand while taking the oath of office.

In Other Business

- The council approved a motion to adopt organizational rules under which the newly sworn-in council will operate.

- The council approved entering into a contract for legal services with Attorney William L. Nix.

- The council appointed Kathy Snowden as city clerk/treasurer.

- The council appointed Mike Reynolds as police chief.

- The council approved the appointment of Stacey Shirey to serve as the city’s next police chief upon the retirement of Chief Reynolds.

- The council approved the sale of property located at 604 Cusseta Road.

- City Hall will be closed Monday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

The next Valley City Council meeting will be held Nov. 17. December meetings are scheduled for Dec. 1 and Dec. 8.