Friday, January 16, 2004

New council members sworn in

By LINDSAY BIANCHI
Special to The Citizen

"Pray for me. I'll need it."

Those were Councilman Ron Alderman’s first words after being sworn in Monday night at Fairburn City Council's first meeting of 2004. Alderman, who has served on the Council in the past, was welcomed back to the fold.

"I'll try the utmost to hold this job to the best of my ability and I know with the help of my co-council members we will continue to move forward."

City Attorney Brad Sears swore in Alderman as well as Councilman Marian Johnson. Johnson, who was elected in a special election last year said, "After being in office for one year I said I want to continue doing this."

Johnson ran and won again in November. She now faces the challenge of a full four year term, but seems confident that her trial by fire in 2003 will help get her through it.

Councilman Frankie Arnold, who was also reelected last year took her oath of office from longtime friend, Judge Penny Brown Reynolds of the State Court of Fulton County. Judge Reynolds proudly presented Councilman Arnold to those present and received a warm round of applause.

Arnold thanked everyone for attending the swearing in and asked all those who came to see her in particular to stand up. About half the room, several who had traveled from out of state, stood to show their support including Arnold's husband and son.

Later, a list of annual appointments was reviewed and passed unanimously. The position of City Planner held by Bill Johnston was discontinued and absorbed by the current staff who were found to have the necessary skills to do the job.

     Jim Williams is, once again, City Administrator and Nancy Faulkner will return as City Clerk. Brad Sears and Ted Meeker are still in place as city attorneys. The firm of Collins and Jones was selected to fill the position of Municipal Court Judge and City Auditor duties will be performed by Post and Associates.

     Integrated Science and Engineering of Fayetteville were chosen for City Engineer due to "the excellent and cost effective service they have provided during the past year" according to a memo received by the mayor and council, January 9.

In addition, City Administrator Jim Williams and Mayor Betty Hannah were given the authorization to oversee transfer of funds for the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, MEAG, as it relates to the city of Fairburn.