TAYLOR: This morning at 8 AM Taylor Municipal Judge Farrest Taylor administered the Oath Of Office to a new Mayor for Taylor and two new Taylor City Councilman.
The former Code Enforcement Officer, Robert Lamb, ran for Mayor of Taylor and was elected. Robert Lamb took the Oath of Office and became Mayor.
The incumbent Mayor of 8 years, Billy Snell, did not seek re-election.
Judge Taylor administered the Oath of Office to Jerry Kelly as a City Councilman.
Judge Taylor administered the Oath of Office to Aubrana Peterman as a City Councilman.
At the Town Council Meeting the new Mayor will administer the oath to the council members who were already serving as Councilman and are returning to office.
Following the Oath RSN asked Mayor Lamb was he going to swear in the police officers. He said that he would do that on Wednesday. The Magistrate, Ann Baxter, asked the Mayor were they going to do it in here or her office. That was about some other business. The Taylor Police Chief, James Brazier, had walked outside and they sent after him.
Instead of staying in the council meeting room Mayor Lamb, the police officer, Chief Brazier, City Prosecutor Gary Maxwell and Magistrate Ann Baxter went to the Magistrate Office.
RSN had heard rumors for weeks that Mayor Elect Robert Lamb did not like Police Chief James Brazier and planned to get rid of him. He had even asked now former Mayor Billy Snell to terminate Chief Brazier and now former Mayor Billy Snell said no, that Brazier was doing a good job and he has no reason to terminate Brazier as Chief of Police.
Well, the swearing in was at 8 AM and by 8:45 AM the new Mayor, Robert Lamb, had relieved Chief Brazier of his job as Police Chief and James Brazier came walking out of the building. RSN gave Brazier a ride home because he left walking.
Present for the swearing in ceremony was Tim Miller. The rumors for weeks were that Magistrate Ann Baxter and Mayor Elect Robert Lamb wanted Tim Miller back as a Taylor Police Officer and as Chief. Miller resigned in Taylor while under investigation about how a call was handled. He was a former Dothan Police Officer, former Ashford Police Officer, former Deputy Sheriff with Jackson County Sheriff Department and after Taylor is a police officer in Columbia.
James Brazier retired from Houston County Sheriff Department after 30 years with the department. Brazier retired at the rank of Commander over the Houston County Jail. Following his retirement Brazier went to work with Jackson County Sheriff Department for two years. After two years with Jackson County Sheriff Department Brazier left, in good standing, to take Chief of Police job with Taylor under then Mayor Billy Snell’s tenure.
The actions of Mayor Robert Lamb, within the first hour of taking the Oath of Office are not over. There are certian laws which protect Police Chief’s. However this falls at the beginning of a new administration. But the appointments or terminations must be approved by the City Council. Former Chief Brazier can appeal the actions of the new Mayor, Robert Lamb, to the Taylor City Council.
The working relationship between Mayor Robert Lamb and the Taylor City Council will be one of interest to watch. Sources have said that are alleged to have heard Mayor Lamb and Tim Miller refer to the council members as idiots and discussing intentions of attempting to force some council members from office.
While Chief Brazier is relieved of duties, and did not resign, if Brazier appeals the Taylor City Council has the authority to override his decision.
IT LOOKS LIKE … Taylor is one of several new administrations where drama will be the buzz word!!!
THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE ARE MAYOR ROBERT LAMB AND A POLICE OFFICER FOR TAYLOR. NOT CHIEF BRAZIER BUT THEY ARE AT THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS ASSIGNED TO CHIEF BRAZIER.
