More than 12 months have passed since the municipal elections were held in Cedar Bluff. But, now after several rulings on legal motions and an opinion from the state Attorney General, the new Cedar Bluff Town Council is seated and ready to go to work.

During the December 22 meeting of the council, Cherokee County Probate Judge/Commission Chairman Melvyn Salter presided over the swearing in ceremony for Evan Smith, Council Member District One; Jack Bond, Council Member District Three and Mark Hicks, Council Member District Four. Immediately, the council went to work on the business of the town.

Dee Daniel was approved as temporary town clerk. Councilwoman Leatha Harp was unanimously elected as Mayor Pro Tempore. Steve Walden was re-approved as permanent police chief. The council re-appointed J. P. Curry as fire chief. Attorney Bill Hawkins was appointed as the town’s legal counsel. Upon a recommendation by Mayor Ethel Sprouse, the council agreed that business proceedings will be guided by Roberts Rule of Order and that during the public comment session at the end of the council meetings, each person speaking will be held to a limit of no more than five minutes.

In other business, the council:

–Approved Regions Bank as the depository for municipal funds

–Established the time of workshops for Thursday at 6 p.m. before the regular meeting on the second Monday at 6 p.m.

–Approved the minutes of the Nov. 9 and Dec. 15 meetings

–Approved financial disbursements for November 2009

–Acknowledged the minutes from the Planning Commission on Nov. 2, the Northeast Alabama MR/DD Authority for Nov. 12 and the Cedar Bluff Utility Board and Solid Waste Authority meeting on Oct. 20.

–Tabled the following: appointments to the Cedar Bluff Utility Board; appointments to the Cedar Bluff Planning Commission; the auditing proposal from Hindsman, Hall & Storey, PC

–Approved the meeting calendar for 2010

–Approved the holiday calendar for 2010

–Approved the outfitting of the new police car to be ready for use

Under new business, a motion was made to reaffirm the mayor’s authority to manage the affairs of the town including but not limited to the hiring and the termination of employees and/or their positions. This was approved by all council members.

Mayor Sprouse made the following appointments of council members to chair respective committees: Legal Advisory — Evan Smith; Planning and Grants — Leatha Harp; Fire— Jack Bond; Police — Mark Hicks; Historical Preservation — Lenora McWhorter.

During the public comment section of the meeting, some concerned citizens questioned the motion approved regarding the authority of the mayor to hire and fire employees and to abolish positions.