Fort Oglethorpe City Hall was filled with people Jan. 6 as many new City Council members and a new mayor took over.
“It was an event of magnitude as over 100 people gathered for the swearing-in ceremonies of Council Lady Rhonda L. James, Councilman Derek Rogers, Councilman Jim Childs and Mayor Earl Gray,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Paula Stinnett. “After the solemn vows were affirmed by Judge Winston Webb, a large reception was held to welcome the newly elected officials.”
Gray was the city’s former mayor pro-tem for two years, serving as a councilman the four years before that. He resigned the pro-tem post to run for mayor last year.
“The next four years will find Fort Oglethorpe transitioning into an even more dynamic city of prosperity,” he said after being sworn into his new office. “The Fort Oglethorpe City Council and I are already in the process of developing action initiatives for current and prospective businesses. City services will continue to provide a safe environment for residents and visitors.”
Gray, who has lived in Fort Oglethorpe for the last 16 years, serves in the marketing department at Costco where his role is to call on businesses daily and enroll business memberships at Costco.
“It’s pretty good because the mayor job and Costco job go hand-in-hand,” he said. “The city of Fort Oglethorpe issued over 800 business licenses last year in the city, both new licenses and renewals combined. There’s a lot of small, independent businesses in the city.”
Some new businesses to the city are Hobby Lobby, Ross Dress for Less, Buffalo Wild Wings, Marshalls and Discount Tires, he said, adding that about six new doctors and dentists have also moved into the city recently.
“That area has eight or 10 new businesses in that one shopping center,” he said, referring to a complex on Battlefield Parkway. “When it’s all filled 12 new businesses will be there.”
On the opposite end of Battlefield Parkway, Golden Corral recently burned to the ground. Gray said he is sure the restaurant will be rebuilt there since it is such a successful business.
“I’m really excited to be the new mayor of Fort Oglethorpe,” Gray said. “We’ve got a good council and we will work well together. The future looks bright for us.”