Before a packed house, Municipal Judge Bill Hawkins administered the Oath of Office to a new mayor and city council at Centre City Hall Monday evening, Nov. 3.

Newcomers to the council offices this year are Phillip Roberts, Sid Garrett and Joe Hall. Veteran council members returning for another term are Bess Yarbrough, Frankie Kelly, Glenn Chandler and Harry Moon.

Hawkins first administered the oath to Newly-Elected Mayor Tony Wilkie and then the council as a group. 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 upon which I am about to enter to the best of my ability so help me God.”

Afterward, the council was officially seated for a brief business meeting. For his first item of business, Mayor Wilkie recommended Councilwoman Bess Yarbrough as mayor pro tem which the council unanimously approved.

The council voted to keep its current meeting dates which are the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. The council did vote to move the Nov. 11 meeting to Monday Nov. 10, at 4:30 p.m., because of the Veteran’s Day holiday.

As for committees, Wilkie appointed Bess Yarbrough as chairperson of the budget and finance committee, Joe Hall as chairperson over the police department, Frankie Kelly as chairperson over the fire department, Harry Moon as chairperson over the sports and recreation department; Glenn Chandler over the street and sanitation department, Sid Garrett as chairperson over the airport, Phillip Roberts over the parks and human relations departemtn and Frankie Kelly as chairperson over the building and inspection committee.

The council will officially appoint the administrative offices at its first regular meeting in November.

“I would like to say it is an honor and a privilege to be able to sit here among the people who helped put me here,” said Wilkie. “My deepest respects to you. I look forward to working with this council. I served with Glenn, Bess, Frankie and Harry. And I look forward to working with Joe, Phillip and Sid with great things to happen.



"I am going to offer you open, fair and honest government. Each and every one sitting here will know as much as me about the city as we make decisions in your best interest.”

“I am just looking forward to serving,” said Hall.

“I will work hard for you,” said Roberts.

“I am proud to get re-elected,” said Chandler. “I’ve been here a while and I will do the best I can.”

“I want to thank the citizens of Centre for their confidence and their vote,” said Yarbrough. “I’m looking forward to working for you four more years. Thank you for coming tonight.”

“I’m looking forward to working four more years,” said Kelly.

Councilman Harry Moon also expressed his appreciation. “You all know that you are welcome to come to every meeting,” said Moon.

“It is an honor to be able to serve on the city council,” said Garrett. “I’m looking forward to working with everyone here. Thank you.”