Today marked the swearing in of a new Mayor for the City of Ozark. Charles Ward, retired Colonel of the Alabama Department of Public Safety, returning to Ozark as Chief of Police. Later the position was changed to Ozark Department of Public Safety where he oversaw both law enforcement and fire.
When election came around Charles Ward challenged incumbent Mayor Mark Blankenship. The registered voters of Ozark Alabama overwhelmingly elected Charles Ward as Mayor. Today, in a filled to capacity room, Charles Ward took the Oath of Office to become Mayor of Ozark.
The other members elected to the Ozark City Council were sworn into office following Charles Ward taking the oath.
There was great excitement in the room this morning as new faces will now lead Ozark Alabama into the future.
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.
HOUSTON COUNTY: Houston County 911 dispatched Houston County Sheriff’s deputies and Rehobeth Fire rescue to Cobb Road to a domestic dispute and assault case.
Houston County 911 dispatched Houston County Sheriff’s deputies and Rehobeth Fire rescue to Cobb Road to a domestic dispute and assault case.
At the time of Dispatch, a female age 61 was to believe to have had a broken arm.
Houston County Sheriff deputies and Rehobeth Fire rescue are on the scene.
DOTHAN: 6:48 PM Dothan 911 dispatched a motor vehicle accident at West Main Street at Grove Park. Reports to Dothan 911 vehicle was overturned in the roadway.
Dothan Police, Dothan Fire Engine 3 ( Whatley Drive ), and Pilcher Ambulance responded.
Seconds after dispatch a Houston County Sheriff Deputy came up on the accident and assisted Dothan.
6:52 PM Dothan Fire Engine 3 ( Whatley Drive ) and Truck 3 ( Whatley Drive ) arrived on the scene. They reported heavy damage to the vehicle and it appeared all occupants were out of the vehicles.
Anyone with additional information or scene pictures TEXT RICKEY 334-790-1729.
UPDATED @ 6:55 PM
No entrappment and one patient with very minor injuries.
DOTHAN: 6:19 PM A Dothan Police Officer called in a firearm assault victim at North Range and East Spring Street. Juvenile with a uncontrolled bleed.
Multiple Dothan Police, Dothan Fire and Pilcher Ambulance responded.
The firearm assault is reported to have taken place at Johnson Homes.
At 6:27 PM a second gunshot victim was found at 100 Johnson Circle in front of Apartment 36. A male subject had a gunshot wound to the leg with a uncontrolled bleed.
Dothan Police Patrol Division secured the area. Dothan Police Criminal Investigators and Crime Scene Investigators responded.
Dothan Police is in charge of the investigation.
Anyone with scene pictures TEXT RICKEY 334-790-1729.
