Chadbourn
swearings on hold

• Chadbourn meeting recessed until Monday due to absences; Williamson thanked for service.

By JEFFERSON WEAVER
Staff Writer

Only two members of the Chadbourn Town Council – Mayor Kenneth Waddell and newcomer Donald Ray Bass – were sworn into office Tuesday.

Waddell explained to the packed house at the town hall that Councilman Brian Edwards had a family engagement, and Mayor Pro Tem Fax Rector was admitted to the hospital a short time before the meeting.

Bass was elected and Waddell, Rector and Edwards were re-elected last month in the municipal elections.

Bass received the oath of office from Magistrate Mack Ward, and Waddell was sworn in by Judge Jack Hooks.

While the board could legally meet and conduct business – Bass, Jimmie Sue Ward, Waddell, and Rashad Roberts were enough to constitute a quorum – Waddell encouraged the board to delay several agenda items until the rest of the board could attend.

“I would suggest we recess the meeting until Monday evening,” Waddell said, “if that time works with everyone else.”

Most municipal boards handle several housekeeping issues at the first meeting after elections, including electing mayors pro tem, appointing finance officers, and approving signatories on bank accounts and other official documents. The Chadbourn council was also scheduled to hear the town’s annual audit report Tuesday, as well as hold a closed session on personnel matters.

“I would be more comfortable if the whole board was here for most of these items,” Waddell said, and the board agreed.

The council did take time to thank outgoing councilman Larry Williamson for his service on the board.

Williamson was appointed to the board in 2006, and was defeated in the November election.

“Councilman Williamson has been a good board member, and an even better leader,” Waddell said. “I know he’ll still be here for us as a concerned and involved citizen. He’ll be there to push us when we need it.”

Williamson was presented with a plaque and his nameplate from the board.

“This is in appreciation of your service,” Waddell said of the plaque, and when he handed over the nameplate, he added, “This is in recognition of the trials and tribulations you’ve experienced.”