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The Champion, Thursday, June 18 - 24, 2015
LOCAL
Page 3A 1
Brookhaven City Council members congratulate Councilman Bates DeKalb State Judge Mike Jacobs administers the oath Judge Mike Jacobs administers the oath of office to Re-
Mattison on his new position as mayor pro tern. of office to Linley Jones. becca Chase Williams. Photos by Carla Parker
Brookhaven makes new appointments
by Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com
A new mayor, city council member and
mayor pro tern were appointed during the June 9
Brookhaven City Council meeting.
District 1 Councilwoman and Mayor Pro
Tern Rebecca Chase Williams was sworn in as
mayor, filling the seat vacated by former mayor
J. Max Davis. Davis resigned to run for Georgia
House District 80, which was vacated by after
Mike Jacobs was appointed as State Court judge
of DeKalb by Gov. Nathan Deal.
Jacobs administered the oath of office to Wil
liams, who told residents that she “looks forward
to the opportunity to continue to build a great
city.
“As our mission statement says, we strive to
be a national model, a place where our residents
and businesses flourish,’” Williams said. “I will
continue to build on the work already accom
plished, to learn from our experiences and to
build a government that is really exceptional in
all regards. This, of course, means we will always
be open and honest, we will always remember
that we work you—the taxpayers, and be respon
sible stewards of the taxpayers’ money.
“I’m going to continue to focus on the basics
and that means police, paving, parks, permits and
zoning,” Williams added. “But I will also advo
cate for what I call the wow factor—world-class
playgrounds in every park, sidewalks and passing
trails that put us on the map—award-winning,
smart development.”
The city’s charter allowed Williams to be ap
pointed by fellow councilmembers since the elec
tion for that office is less than 12 months away
in November. Vacancies of 12 months or more
require a special election.
Williams’ nomination for the vacant seat was
approved by a vote of 3-1. Councilman Joe Geb-
bia nominated Williams, with Councilman Bates
Mattison seconding the nomination. Council
man John Park voted against the nomination.
“Part of this responsibility is making sure
that we make a selection for somebody who can
continue the charge of all the programs that we’re
working on, and there is a lot going on,” Gebbia
said. “Rebecca has done an excellent job on coun
cil to stay abreast of each and every issue. I think
she is an excellent candidate to make sure that we
as a city continue the momentum that we have.”
Davis also praised Williams for her work as a
council member.
“Your counsel to me and to the rest of the
council over the past two and a half years on
many issues has been very valuable, and it has
helped us along,” Davis said.
After Williams was sworn in, she nominated
Linley Jones to fill the District 1 council seat.
Jones was approved by councilmembers.
“She has been involved with the formation
of the city from the beginning,” Williams said
of Jones. “She is one of the smartest [women] I
know, and she’s a solid citizen.”
“I appreciate the support of all of you, and I
am looking forward to the opportunity to repre
sent District 1, albeit for this brief period because
I, along with the rest of the folks in District 1,
look forward to having an elected representa
tion again,” Jones said. “But, I will do my best to
listen to the input I will receive. I plan to have an
opportunity in the very near future to meet with
folks and hear about the concerns and interests of
the people of District 1.”
Councilmembers elected Mattison, who rep
resents District 3, as mayor pro tern.
The seats for mayor, District 1 and District 3
also will be up for election on Nov. 3.
Potential candidates must file a notice of
candidacy in the city clerk office between Aug. 31
and Sept. 2, between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., or
between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The qualifying
fee for each city council seat is $360, and the fee
for mayor is $480.
Mayoral candidates must be a resident of
the city of Brookhaven for at least 12 continu
ous months immediately prior to the election
date, while candidates for city council must be a
resident of the district for at least six continuous
months immediately prior to the election.
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