ANNISTON, AL (WBRC) -
Anniston's city council is back to full capacity now after
a vote to replace departing council member John Spain.
At Tuesday's regular meeting, the remaining councilors voted
three to one to appoint a local architect ,Jay Jenkins, to fill Spain's unexpired
term representing Ward 1. Jenkins was immediately sworn into office by
Calhoun County Circuit Judge Debra Jones. He then took his seat on the
council and heard his first order of business, an executive session on a
non-agenda item.
Jenkins is no stranger to city hall.
He's the chairman
of the planning commission, and has been a member for 17 years. Two of
his current projects are the city's planned judicial center—which would house
the police department and municipal court—and the city's aquatic center, which
is currently under construction at McClellan.
Just before the executive session, Jenkins told reporters
that after years of being involved in civic affairs, he wanted to "participate
in the greater good.
"I'm honored, honored to be a part of it, hope I can make a
difference," Jenkins said.
Asked if he hoped to bring harmony to a council known for
its fights—one of them, a physical one that's part of the reason for his new
position—Jenkins smiled and replied, "Million dollar question, I can't answer
that. But I hope so, I hope I can keep an even head."
The controversial Spain resigned late last year after being
convicted of assaulting Mayor Gene Robinson during a council meeting, and being
charged with violating the council-manager act by giving direct orders to a
police captain. The charges were dropped as part of a deal that also
involved the resignation.
Jenkins and Spain are neighbors in the McClellan section of
Anniston. Jenkins said he hoped to continue some of Spain's pet projects.
The council interviewed several candidates for the
unexpired term, including Burt Arthur, Jerome Elser, Hobson City librarian
Donna Satterlee Ross, former Weaver mayor Ed Kimbrough, Troy Shaneyfelt and
former Anniston Mayor Gene Stedham.
City elections for all four wards, and the at-large position
of mayor, are set for August of this year. Jenkins says it's too early to
say if he'll run for a full four-year term.
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