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Chipley holds swearing in ceremonies, reorganizes


CHIPLEY – Chipley City Council  swore in Mayor Tracy Andrews for a third term and Councilman Tommy Sasser for a fourth term when the council met in regular session Tuesday, October 12. 

The council also reorganized, once again selecting Andrews to serve the position of Mayor and appointing Councilman Kevin Russell as Mayor Pro Tem.

In other business, the council approved the appointment of Linda Justice to serve on the Chipley Housing Authority Board to fill the vacancy left with the passing away of Cathrine Landreth and held the first reading of an amendment to the ordinance governing the procedure for code enforcement.

Currently, a the City utilizes a code enforcement board; however, it has been a challenge to keep the positions filled and have the required quorum for meetings.

The City is looking to keep the option of the code enforcement board but to also establish the authority of a special magistrate, who would be appointed by the City to conduct code enforcement hearings and address issues such as violations and assessed fees.

The second reading of that ordinance is expected to take place in November.

The council further discussed revising the CityÂ’s existing ordinance governing family game rooms and amusement centers. City Attorney Michelle Jordan is expected to present the revised ordinance to the council with language that draws a clearer line between family amusement establishments that offer arcade-type games from gaming establishments that offer adult-type games such as slots.

The council also approved the following special events: First Baptist Church Fall Festival, scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on October 31; Christmas Fest of Chipley, which will be held at the Chipley Farmer’s Market complex from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on December 3 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on December 4;  a Scottish Festival, set to take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 6 in an area that will include 4th Street to 5th Street and Watts Avenue to Church Street; the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade, set for 10 a.m., January 17, 2022, and a wedding ceremony, which will take place at the newly-constructed Farmer’s Market gazebo.