Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1922-01-04
New Administration
Takes Charge OF City
Mayor Paulk Sworn In At Council
Meeting Monday Night

unusual interest was shown in the
induction of the new city administra-
ton Monday night, when some two
hundred citizens, including about ten
ladies attended the closing acts of
! Mayor Pittman's term and for the
Ilrst time heard of the splendid work
done by the various departments, as
evidenced by the detailed reports of
the chiefs and men in charge of the
various city activities. With funds in
the treasury, according to the final
report by Treasurer Mingledorff, with
no outstanding overdue bills to meet,
the outgoing administration leaves
clean sheet for Mayor Paulk, whose
well known economic attributes. will
carry on" for the merit two years or
more, and probably make even bet
ter record than in the days when he
was more or less handicapped by a
big Indebtedness incurred by the city
in the purchase Of lands donated to
the A. B. & A. for their local shops.
The business session of the old adj
1ninistration was soon closed and
the deck cleared for the official in
duction of the new officers by Judge
J. R. Horton, who administered the
oath of office to the newly elected Of
ficers, first in line being Mayor Paulk.
On invitation by Mayor Paulk Rev.
J. F. Singleton of the First Baptist
Church offered an impressive prayer
for the guidance of the new admins
tration.
Others sworn in were Aldermen A.
II. Thurmond, G. L. Kilcrease, Clay
ton Jay, w. R. Paulk and E. J. Dor
miney. Alderman Thurmond was ell
ected Mayor-pro tenn, by unanimous
vote of the council and sworn in as
such. David L. Paulk was reelected
Clerk without opposition and contin-
ued on the job.
Leaving the time honored custom
OF holding caucus for the selection
of the appointive offices, Mayor Paulk
proceeded to cali for the election of
a chief of Police, two applications be-
ing on file for the position. The cand-
idates were Chief C. F. Dixon and for
mer Chief B. T. Strickland Mayor
Paulk invited each candidate to pre-
sent his case verbally, if they desired
and Mr. Strickland responded renewed
pledges for rigid enforcement of
the ordinances as pledged to the Civic
League, whose representatives were
in the audience. Others who spoke
for Mr.. Strickland were Mr.. ]. E.
Turner, for the Civic League; G. A.
jolly for. the First Baptist Church;
Mrs. S. G. Pryor, Sr., for the mothers;
Mrs. H. G. Powell for the w. C T
u; F. R. Justice for the first M. E.
Church and Mrs. S. M. Whitchard
for the Women Voters of the city.
On roll call Mr. Strickland received 81
roll call Mr. Strickland received 81
and Mr.. Dixon votes of the council.
Aldermen Jay, Paulk. F1ournoy and
Kilcrease voting for Dixon and Aid
ermen Glover, Miller, Dorminey, Is
Ter and Thurmond for Strickland. the
latter being elected Chief by major
ity of one vote, and was Immediately
sworn into office.
A long list of applicants for police
men was on hand and as only four
were to be elected Council held an
informal ballot, each voting for four
of his preference, which resulted in
eliminating ali but eleven from the
consideration of the council. Past
Chief Herman Smith led the ticket
with nine votes, and after three bal
lots, T. H. Pigue, ]. E. Stewart and
Chas. Brubaker were declared elected.
The Fire department was reelected
with Chief w. C. Wilkerson and his
five fire fighters, Horn, Brewer, Col
lier. Hungate and Wi1kerson.
Wall and Grantham were reelected
City Attorneys, without opposition.
For health officer Drs. Ward and
Osborne made application, DIR. o.
borne being reelected for the position.
Street Commissioner J. D. Smith
was reelected to his job over his only
competitor Mr.. o. L. Downing.
The scavenger job was contested
for by three, Howe at $50, Stamper
at $S5 and Myrick at $50 per month
Decision left to Mayor for action.
The First National and Exchange
National Banks were declared Off
cial repositories for the city.
Bids for the City's official printing
were rendered by the Leader Enter
prise and the Herald, the latter being
temporarily chosen for the honor by
vote of the council.
President w. D. 'Dorminey of the
Board of Education and G. A. Jolly
and Lon Dickey being present were
also sworn into office by Judge Hort
on dI1rino the eyepipn