New Apalachicola commissioners take oath

A capacity crowd at the Oct 6 city commission meeting witnessed both Seat 3, city commissioner Frank Cook and Seat 4, city commissioner Brenda Ash take the oath of office before the 2009-2011 Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners sat down to new business.

After each municipal election, the city charter calls for the appointment and designation of a Mayor Pro-Tem and a commissioner to oversee each of the five departments of the City of Apalachicola.

Over the next two years, Cook will be responsible for overseeing the Department of Fire Protection, Health, and Sanitation. He will also serve as the city’s liaison on the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Revolving Loan Committee.

With her vast background in banking, the commission chose Ash to oversee the Department of Finance and represent the city as the liaison to the Library Board and the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.

Veteran city commissioner James Elliott who has served the city for the past 26-years received appointment to serve as Mayor Pro-Tem and commissioner over the Department of Public Works, which include both the waterworks and wastewater facilities. The commission also tapped Elliott to serve as their representative on the city’s History, Arts & Culture Committee.

Commissioner Mitchell Bartley will oversee the Department of Streets, Parks, and Docks, which include the city cemeteries, a position he held when first elected to the commission in 1999.

As outlined in the city charter, the Mayor is responsible for the Department of Police and Public Safety.

Photos taken by Gail D. Johnson