During a Signal Mountain Town Council agenda meeting Dec. 2, two-year Councilman Chris Howley was named the new mayor of the town.
After each election every two years, the council elects a mayor and vice mayor from among its ranks, and this year former mayor Dick Gee asked to have his name removed from consideration for the position, citing personal reasons and a need for a leader more attuned to making financial and staffing decisions than himself.
“I’ve been doing this for six years, and I have a pretty good feel for what we are confronted with and what we’re going to confront [as] challenges for the next couple years,” said Gee, who will now serve as vice mayor. “I look at what my skill set is and I’m not sure that that’s the right set.”
Gee recommended Howley for the titular position, alluding to Howley’s 21 years of experience as executive vice president of Republic Parking System and his dedication to examining the town’s budget.
Over the next two years, Howley will lead the council through issues regarding the Mountain Arts Community Center, the town’s water department and the new request by some residents to research breaking away from the Hamilton County school district.
Howley said he hopes to address these concerns with the same temperament as his predecessor, while pushing to get more residents to volunteer with town government, increasing government transparency and trying to minimize the impact these upcoming issues will have on taxes.
“As mayor, [I hope] to continue to look for ways to make our community a better community,” Howley said. “I can’t appreciate enough the previous council that was in and I look forward to working with the two new councilmembers.”