From WRIL The Big One -
Monday afternoon December 30th a special called Pineville City Council meeting at Bell Theater was the scene of departure for one and the installation of another for the mayor's seat.
With the election of longtime Mayor Scott Madon to the 29th Senatorial District, the Pineville leadership role came open. During the meeting Mayor Madon resigned, but not before hailing the achievements of his time in office in Pineville.
Elected in 2015 and serving three terms, Madon said he came into office with a little under $198,220 in the city coffers and as he steps down there is now over $2,203,227 in the bank.
He went on to highlight the new equipment at the street department, area park improvements, the purchase of the Bell Theater, updating the entrances to the city, renovations at the fire department along with new equipment there, the updating of long-needed police equipment and most recently the streetscape project and everything that went into making it happen.
Before reading his resignation letter, Madon said "none of this would have been possible without us working together and having the best city employees." He also thanked the citizens of Pineville for allowing him to serve for the past ten years.
With that, the meeting moved to nominating councilman Shawn Fugate II as the new mayor to serve the unexpired term of office. He was sworn in by Judge Executive Albey Brock. Like Madon, Fugate had also been elected in 2015 to the council. The new mayor said during the the meeting that it is "an honor to serve the people of our great city, we have so much to offer, and I know that the future is bright."
Shortly afterward, Judge Brock swore in the city council for the next term comprised of Scott Jeffries, Alicia Slusher, Pat Bingham, Bobby Valentine Jr., and new councilman Mikey Long.
Mayor Fugate told the crowd the vacant seat on the council is open for interested and eligible parties to be considered so that the Governor would not have to appoint someone. That issue will be discussed at length at the next city council meeting scheduled for January 13, 2025.
If you want to see the meeting, please go to our Facebook page.