New council takes office in Red Bay
By Staff
Melissa Cason
RED BAY – Probate Judge Barry Moore made a special appearance in Red Bay Monday night to swear in the newly elected city officials.
The night began shortly before 7 p.m. when former Mayor Jeff Reid opened the meeting so the outgoing council could pay their bills before the new council took office.
After the two-minute meeting, the newly elected council members were greeted by a huge crowd at the Arts and Entertainment Center in Red Bay, where they were sworn into office by Moore.
"We are truly honored to have Judge Moore here with us tonight," Mayor Bobby Forsythe said. "We are glad he could make time in his schedule to be with us."
After each council member and the mayor were sworn into office, a reception was held at the A&E Center.
The new council's first meeting began at 8 p.m. at the city hall. The meeting was an organizational meeting where the council agreed to meet the first and third Monday of every month at 7 p.m. The council elected Brad Bolton as mayor pro-tempore.
They also passed two resolutions about how the meetings would be conducted. The council set a code of conduct for the meetings and passed the proceedures that will be held.
The council also made the following appointments regarding committees: Mike Kennedy to serve on Education Committee; Jane Johnston to serve on the Education Committtee; Judy Bullin to serve on the Industrial Development Committee beginning Dec. 1; Joe Beasley to serve on the Industrial Development Committee with the term ending Dec. 1, 2009; and Charlene Fancher to the cemetery committee.
The council passed a resolution to allow all current appointed department heads to remain at their appointed positions temporarily until a permanent appointment can be made.
The city began taking applications for those who wish to be considered for an appointed position yesterday and will do so for two weeks. The positions up for re-appointment are city clerk, fire chief, police chief, city prosecutor, city attorney, municipal judge, and the street and sanitation supervisor.
Current department heads must re-apply if they want to be considered for a re-appointment to their position.
The council passed a resolution that all future city employment positions will be posted for two weeks in the lobby of city hall and an announcement will also be placed in the Red Bay News.
The council voted to allow all municipal funds to remain in their current banking institutions until a decision can be made on what banks should be used, and the mayor, city clerk and mayor pro-tem will be allowed to disburse municipal funds.
The next regular council meeting will be held on Monday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. at city hall.
