Mayor, Council Members sworn into office

The new Mayor of the City of Woodruff and duly elected City Council Members were sworn in at the City Council meeting on Tuesday night.

Mayor Kenneth “Turk” Gist, who served one previous term as Mayor and held a seat on City Council at the time of his election, was sworn in before a large crowd of about fifty residents. Gist won the November 5th election with 62% of the votes. He took time to talk to and take pictures with various members of the community before placing his hand on the Bible and taking the oath of office.

“I’m excited and blessed that the City of Woodruff chose me to be their Mayor for a second time and I plan to do my very best for the City” – Mayor Kenneth “Turk” Gist

Gist stated “I want to continue to build on the work that we started back in 2012. (Previous Mayor) Brad Burnett did a great job when he was in office, and I plan to work with our excellent council members and city manager to ensure that the city continues to grow.”

The Mayor was sworn in by Pastor and master barber Derrick Scurry, who owns Scurry’s on Main barber shop in downtown Woodruff. Scurry said “It was a pleasure to swear in the new Mayor of Woodruff. Kenneth Gist is my mentor and my brother. May God bless him, and I pray that with godspeed he will be able to lead the city to higher heights.”

Also sworn into office were City Councilwoman Mattie Norman, City Councilman William “Buddy” Arnold, and a new face to the office City Councilwoman Sharon Adkins Kelley. Kelley was excited about her new position and said she was “looking forward to moving Woodruff forward.”

After the ceremonies, the newly appointed council members heard issues ranging from the annexation of property into the city to the approval of a new social media policy. The council heard a resolution to support a grant program to demolish and rebuild the old church in the Mills Mill neighborhood as a playground and park.

An election for a Mayor Pro-Tem for a two-year term was held and resulted in choosing City Councilman Scott Dickard. The Mayor Pro-Tem would fill in for the Mayor in the event of his absence.

A presentation of the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Fiscal Audit was made by Matt Phillips of McKinley, Cooper & Company. The meeting concluded with a resolution to purchase property on Gray Street.