Jr. Shelton Takes Oath as Mayor

Jr. Shelton rose from the ashes of defeat four years ago to be sworn in Tuesday as the new Mayor of the City of Central.

More than 250 people gathered at the Central High auditorium at 9 a.m. Tuesday to watch District Judge Richard Anderson of Central administer the oath of office to Shelton, who became the second Mayor in Central history.  He replaced Mayor Mac Watts, who served since incorporated in 2005.

Others sworn in were Police Chief James Salsbury, and City Council members Jason Ellis, Shane Evans, Dr. Kim Fralick, Wayne Messina, and John Vance.  All of the city officials are new except Messina, who was first elected in 2010.

In his brief inaugural address, Shelton quoted from a poem called, My Town, which is engraved on a plaque Watts left behind in the Mayor’s office.  Shelton said it inspired him to value the Central community even more.

Master of ceremonies for the event was attorney Phil Miley, who serves as the city’s administrative law judge. The invocation was led by Rev. Jeff Meyers, pastor of Greenwell Springs Baptist Church.  Mrs. Lola Hill sang the National Anthem.

Mayor Shelton said after the event that it was a special honor to have Mrs. Hill involved in the ceremony because her father, the late Gordon Hutchinson Sr., brought the Shelton family to Central.  Hutchinson was Jr. Shelton’s uncle, and Mrs. Hill is his first cousin.

In addition to swearing in Shelton, Judge Anderson also swore in Councilman Jason Ellis.  Shelton said Anderson was selected because he was a long-time friend.   Councilwoman Kim Fralick was sworn in by Justice of the Peace Larry Spencer.  He is her former pastor. Chief Salsbury and the other Council members were sworn in by City Clerk Mark Miley.

The Council members were joined by their families.  After the event, the families and most of the attendees lingered to visit and take photographs. Mayor Shelton invited everyone to drop by City Hall, and many did.  Coffee and cake were served.

On Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Shelton met for two hours with officials of IBTS, the non-profit agency that has the contract to provide city services to the City of Central. He said IBTS offered to host a business fair for businesses that may consider investing in Central.

Shelton said he will meet weekly with IBTS and also with his staff.