Solicitor Julia Carney, right, swears in new Amelia Councilwoman Susan Elliott, far left, at the Jan. 3 council meeting. Elliott's sister Christina Nadeau held the Bible.

Solicitor Julia Carney, right, swears in new Amelia Councilwoman Susan Elliott, far left, at the Jan. 3 council meeting. Elliott's sister Christina Nadeau held the Bible.
Amelia village officials switched seats, replaced one another, and are seeking another member of council this year after the Nov. 8 election.

Former councilman Todd Hart was sworn in to replace Leroy Ellington as mayor on Jan. 1 and Susan Elliott was sworn in as incoming council member at the Jan. 3 council meeting.

Mayor Hart also appointed Bob Pollitt to be vice mayor at the meeting and announced that he would be re-creating several committees in the village including finance, streets, safety, utility, recreation, cemetery and planning and zoning committees.

He appointed Renee Gerber to the recreation committee, Bob Pollitt and Derrick Campbell to the planning and zoning committee and said he would appoint members to the other committees in the coming months.

“I would like to see council have more input and responsibility in the running of the village,” Mayor Hart said. “That is why we did this.”

Council members also discussed the appointment of a sixth council member at the Jan. 3 meeting and several members were already at odds about who should be appointed and how the process should work.

The village accepted letters of interest from residents with a desire to fill former Councilman Tim Rosser’s seat.

Residents were able to submit letters of interest in December, and now council will review candidates and make a selection.

“After reading the letters, in my opinion there is only one true person who can even be considered,” Councilwoman Renee Gerber said. “I am not saying no one else is qualified, no one else has done what this person has for the village.”

Several council members had not read the letters, and after discussion, Mayor Hart moved forward to appoint an interview committee to speak with the residents who sent letters.

Mayor Hart appointed Derrick Campbell, Chuck Thacker and Bob Pollitt to be on the committee. Once they have reviewed the candidates they will present their information to the rest of council and then council will vote to appoint a new member.

Susan Elliott said her first council meeting ever started out pretty exciting.

“I am looking forward to change,” Elliott said “And I am hoping that everyone comes together as one with a goal to work on the village.”