The city of Centre officially ushered in a new term of office last week with an incumbent mayor, five incumbents and two new city council members.

“It is a very special night for all of us here,” said Centre Mayor Tony Wilkie. “There are council members I have served with for eight years, those being Glenn Chandler, Bess Yarbrough, Frankie Kelly and Harry Moon. The two council members not with us are Joe and Sid. It was very much a pleasure to work with them. Coming on is Mark Johnson and I look forward to working with you and Derrick Wheeler, I look forward to working with you.

Wilkie then introduced Cherokee County District Court Judge Sheri Carver who administered the oath of office to the mayor and each council members and their families individually. Each pledged to “support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Alabama, so long as I continue a citizent thereoft, that I will faithfully and honestly discharge the duties of the office of Mayor and the city ofCentre, Ala., upon which I am about to enter, to the best of my ability, so Help me God.”

As the first order of business, the council, upon Mayor Wilkie’s recommendation, re-elected Yarbrough as mayor protem.

The council agreed to keep the meeting dates the same, which is the second and fourth Tuesday at 5 p.m.

The council approved as its depositories for city funds First Southern State, Union State Bank, Southern Bank and Generations Bank.

As for committee assignments, Bess Yarbrough will serve as chairperson with committee members Harry Moon and Glenn Chandler, Phillip Roberts will serve as police department chairperson with Harry Moon and Frankie Kelly, Frankie Kelly will serve as fire department chairman with Glenn Chandler and Phillip Roberts, Bess Yarbrough will serve as sports and recreation chairperson with Frankie Kelly and Phillip Roberts, Harry Moon will served as personnel committee chairperson with Phillip Roberts and Frankie Kelly, Glenn Chandler will serve as street and sanitation chairperson with Harry Moon and Phillip Roberts, Marc Johnson will serve as airport chairperson with Derrick Wheeler and Bess Yarbrough and Frankie Kely will serve as building inspector chairperson with Derrick Wheeler and Marc Johnson.

Administrative officers and employees will continue in their respective positions temporarily pending the next meeting scheduled for Nov. 13.

“The last four years have been somewhat challenging with an economic downturn,” noted Mayor Wilkie.

“We have managed to keep a good head on our shoulders and manage our money and keep our taxes low to our residents. The next four years is going to be as challenging if not more challenging, We look forward to working with Mark and Derrick on this council.”

“I want to thank everybody,” said new Council member Marc Johnson.

“I am real excited about being a member of the city council. I was born and raised here in Centre and I look forward to working with this group. I think we can get a lot accomplished in these four years and just try to move Centre forward. I want it to be a place where my children can come back and be productive citizens.”

“I am excited also,” said Council Member Phillip Roberts.

“I want to thank everybody for being here. I am looking forward to working with the all the council members.”

“I would just like to thank everybody for coming out tonight,” said Council Member Glenn Chandler.

“We appreciate you coming out. We are going to try to do a good job.”

“I want to thank everybody that is here tonight, especially our employees and to all the citizens of Centre for the confidence they have placed in me,” said Council Woman Bess Yarbrough.

“Thank you council for appointing me Mayor Pro Tem. I pledge to continue working for all the citizens of Centre to the best of my ability and welcome the new council members. I know we will work together for the benefits of this great city.”

Yarbrough, a teacher at Cherokee County High School, introduced some of her students who attended the meeting as part of requirements for earning their leadership badge.

“I would like to say thank you to everybody for coming,” said Council Member Frankie Kelly.

“I look forward to the next four years.”

“I would like to thank everybody for coming,” said Council Member Harry Moon. “I think we have got a good council. We all work hard together.”

“Thanks everybody,” said new Council Member Derrick Wheeler.

“I look forward to this. I am very excited. It is a pleasure to work with council members with all the experience and knowledge they have. Maybe Marc and I can learn from them how to do things.”