Lowe Named Vice-Mayor; Laxton/Matthews/Kazee Retain Key Roles
Meeting in reorganizational session, the Oneida City Council addressed key charter requirements on Thursday night, including the naming of a vice mayor, and appointment of the Town’s Chief of Police, City Recorder and City Judge.
On a motion by Alderman Cecil Anderson, who had served in the capacity for the last four years, Alderman David Lowe, who received the most votes in the November 5, 2011 Town of Oneida Municipal Election (528), was named the town’s new Vice-Mayor. Lowe’s appointment was approved on an acclamation vote of all present.
The body also addressed other charter requirements Thursday night, including the appointment of the key administrative personnel. In a single motion, the Council reappointed Chief of Police Darryl Laxton, City Recorder Betty Matthews and City Judge Phillip Kazee for the next four years. While Matthews has been City Recorder for more than twenty years, Laxton and Kazee were appointed during the last term. Laxton, who has been with the Oneida Police Department for the last six years, was named Chief of Police last fall when former Chief Mike Cross was elected Sheriff of Scott County, while Kazee was appointed Judge following the death of Oneida attorney and Judge Harold G. Jeffers in February 2008.
Thursday night was also the first meeting for Alderwoman Linda Lay, who won election to the Council on November 5, 2011. In her first foray into municipal politics, Lay finished strong in the race, placing third with 509 votes.
In other business Thursday night, the Board:
· Heard from Chief Laxton, the Police Department had been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Governor’s Highway Safety Office for the purchase of equipment;
· Heard a report from Fire Chief Mike Stringer, who announced the Oneida Fire Department had had a busy October, answering a total of 14 calls; and
·
Approved a roadblock request from