With the New Year came new council members for Pembroke, including new committee assignments and a new code enforcement officer for the city. Their first official meeting was held Monday, Jan. 14.
After calling the meeting to order, Mayor Judy Cook recognized outgoing councilmember Joey Burnsed for his 12 years of service to the city and presented him with an engraved pocket watch.
"It was an honor to serve my community," Burnsed said. "I really appreciate people putting their trust in me for 12 years. Change is a good thing. The new representatives have great energy and ideas. I look forward to helping them any way I can."
Defeated council members Ernest Hamilton, Elijah Lewis and Randall Butler were not present for their final council meeting.Immediately following the Mayor’s speech, State Court Judge Jack Carney swore Cook into office, along with returning Councilmember Johnnie A. Miller of District 1 and the four newly elected members; Angela Reed At-Large, Doug Kangeter of District 2, Anthony Greeson of District 3 and Tiffany Walraven of District 4.
Once the swearing in was complete, Cook read her Charge to the Council, given at the beginning of each new administration.
In the statement, Cook said her priorities this term include economic development, public safety, planning and growth and the theater restoration.
"You have been elected by the citizens of Pembroke and have an obligation to; serve others not just yourselves; treat all people fairly; use your position to further the well being of our community; efficiently use the city’s resources; and above all be role models that our citizens will respect," she said. "I charge the council to be involved in our community, listen to your constituents, and make decisions that are representative of all our people."
Cook also appointed the council members to their committees: Kangeter and Walraven were assigned Police, Greeson and Miller were assigned Fire, Greeson and Walraven were assigned Finance, Reed and Greeson were assigned Recreation, Miller and Reed were assigned Streets, Kangeter and Miller were assigned Water, Miller and Reed were assigned Human Resources and Kangeter and Walraven were assigned Cemetery.
The committee assignments were made for six months, then Cook will readdress the assignments and make adjustments were deemed needed.
Other items addressed during the council meeting were:
- Miller was elected Mayor Pro-Tem.
- The council reappointed City Clerk Betty K. Hill, Police Chief Bill Collins, City Attorney Carol B. Miller, and Municipal Court Judge John David Harvey
- First Bank of Coastal Georgia was once again named designated depository for the city.
- The council set the compensation of employees’ salaries to remain the same as they were at the close of business 2007.
- A contract for the service of Ron Ledford to handle the cities code enforcement part-time was approved
-Wynn Carney will be contracted as City Planner for 1,000 hours per year.
- The council approved the leasing of the brick building located at 63 N. College Street to Herman Hagray, Jr.
The building will be turned over to the United Way of Coastal Georgia for a thrift store. The city will not be charging rent. Utilities and other details will be worked out with the United Way before the thrift store is opened.
- The county unanimously approved the donation of approximately 25 old, damaged cell phones and accessories to Alltel’s refurbishing program. The program repairs phones and then donates them to a local battered women’s shelter.
The phones are programmed only for 911 emergency services.