The newly-elected mayor and Centre City Council officially took office this past Monday as Centre Municipal Judge Bert Latham administered the oath of office in the council chambers before a standing room only crowd.

Latham began swearing in Mayor Phil Powell and followed with the city council members who each pledged to “support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Alabama so long as I continue a citizen thereof and that I will faithfully and honestly discharge the duties of the office of (mayor/council member) of the city of Centre, Alabama upon which I am about to enter to the best of my ability so help me God.”

Powell faced no opposition in this year’s election. Incumbents Bess Yarbrough, Frankie Kelly, Tom Wade Hampton, Harry Moon and Glenn Chandler were re-elected. Newcomers include Rita Stubbs and Tony Wilkie who assume the positions formerly occupied by Henry Wright and Joe Hall.

Upon Powell’s recommendation, the council adopted a resolution appointed Mrs. Yarbrough as Mayor Pro Tempore.

Powell then appointed the council committees which were as follows:

-Budget and Finance-Bess Yarbrough, chairperson; Tom Wade Hampton and Glenn Chandler

-Police Department-Tom Wade Hampton, chairperson; Harry Moon and Bess Yarbrough

-Fire Department-Frankie Kelly, chairperson; Glenn Chandler and Tom Wade Hampton

-Parks and Recreation-Harry Moon, chairperson; Frankie Kelly and Tony Wilkie

-Street and Sanitation-Glenn Chandler, chairperson; Harry Moon and Tony Wilkie

-Airport Committee-Tony Wilkie, chairperson; Rita Stubbs and Bess Yarbrough

-Health and Human Relations-Rita Stubbs, chairperson; Glenn Chandler and Tony Wilkie

-Building and Inspections-Frankie Kelly, chairperson; Rita Stubbs and Harry Moon

Administrative offices and employees shall continue in their respective duties temporarily pending such time as council makes permanent appointments at the first regular meeting Oct. 12.

“I’m certainly am proud to be here another four years to serve the city,” said Powell. “I appreciate the work the council has done in the last four years. We have accomplished a lot and I’m sure we will continue to do that in the next four years.”

“I appreciate the citizens of Centre for all of their help and support and I promise to continue working for the benefit of the city,” said Mrs. Yarbrough.

Newcomers Stubbs and Wilkie are eager to get started.

“I am happy to be working with the city and continuing with the good work the city has done,” said Stubbs. “I’m looking forward to working with the people and being a voice for the people.”

“I would like to say thanks to all the people who turned out today,” said Wilkie. “I’m looking forward to being your councilman. I would like to thank everyone for their support and I encourage all citizens to attend the city council meetings.”

Councilman Chandler also seeks continued citizen support.

“Like Phil said, we have accomplished a lot, I feel like, in the last four years and we will continue to do so,” said Chandler. “It takes the citizens’ help to do it. Just let us know what needs to be done and if there’s any way we can help you do it.”

“We have our committee assignments and will be working on different projects,” said Moon. “We will work to improve our ISO rating in the fire department and there are others. And I think the council is in agreement on these projects. We have a good council.”

“I’m looking forward to working with the new council,” said Councilman Tom Wade Hampton. “I was proud to see the crowd that showed up for the swearing in ceremony. We have a lot of project going on, including the new softball complex, the airport and the new fire department building. We’ve completed our paving projects so we should be in good shape.