| New SF mayor opens new era in community | | Posted: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 9:08 pm
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South Fulton Mayor Ed Cassetty | | | By CHRIS MENEES
Staff Reporter
New South Fulton Mayor Ed Cassetty wants to maintain an open door policy and an open line of communication.
Cassetty, a Church of Christ minister who has lived in South Fulton for 34 years, was sworn into office prior to Monday evening’s South Fulton City Commission meeting. (See related photo, Page 2.)
Former mayor David Crocker did not seek re-election and Cassetty was the only mayoral candidate who appeared on the ballot in the Nov. 6 city election.
Oaths of office were also administered Monday evening to newly-elected South Fulton city commissioners Scott Ellegood and Beatrice Wilcox, who will join commissioners Tony Perry and Thomas Pettigrew on the panel.
Ellegood was unopposed in his bid for election to the Ward 4 seat previously held by Jeff Vowell, while Ms. Wilcox waged a successful write-in campaign to unseat incumbent Charles Moody in Ward 1. The seats held by Perry and Pettigrew were not due for re-election this year.
After the commission meeting opened Monday evening, Perry was chosen by his fellow commissioners to serve as South Fulton’s vice mayor. The position was previously held by Moody.
A good crowd filled the city commission room to welcome the new mayor and commissioners, but no one chose to address the panel with any comments or concerns.
Cassetty told those attending that he wants to improve communication skills in both leadership and the community and he will maintain an office at South Fulton’s municipal complex. He said he will be available as much as possible to meet with anyone to address concerns.
Ms. Wilcox said she prays everyone will be able to work together in order to better the community.
Ellegood said he be-lieves the local form of government is the most important, adding he was glad to see so many people in attendance Monday evening.
“I hope all of you come back each month and bring more people. I would really love to hear what people have to say and what you think. It’s your town,” he said.
Cassetty said he and the two new commissioners are already making plans to attend training for newly-elected officials through the University of Tennessee’s Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS).
In other action during Monday evening’s meeting, which was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and with prayer led by Perry, the city commission:
• Appointed Ellegood to serve as the commission’s representative on the city’s industrial board.
• Approved the first reading of a ordinance to regulate yard sales in the city limits. The proposed ordinance would allow residents to hold no more than two yard sales per year during the daylight hours of two consecutive days. It also outlines guidelines for the display and removal of advertising signs.
City manager Debra Craig said MTAS was consulted and the proposed ordinance reflects what some other cities have implemented. It addresses the nuisance issue of frequent or “perpetual” yard sales, she explained.
• Learned the second phase of the city’s sewer improvement project will begin Monday and there will be various street closings during that time.
Mrs. Craig said city employees are also conducting target area surveys, a requirement for the city’s application for a 2013 grant for more sewer improvements. She said it is not meant to be disruptive, but is required for the grant process, and she urged cooperation from residents.
• Was informed 35 property violation letters were mailed out and 19 property owners complied without further action. She commended city employees from every department for their efforts.
• Approved the city’s audit contract for 2012. The audit will be done by Joe M. Enoch & Associates of Dyersburg, which is also still working on the city’s 2011 audit, and is to be completed by Dec. 31 at a cost of $10,000, according to Mrs. Craig. It was the only bid submitted.
• Learned the city may have to re-examine city employees’ health insurance coverage depending on the outcome of ongoing negotiations between Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Baptist Memorial Health Care.
• Was informed city offices will be closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving.
Published in The Messenger 11.20.12 | | | | |
