Hayes calls election turnout ‘amazing’ as she takes oath to begin second term

Shortly after taking the oath of office to begin her second term, White Bluff Mayor Linda Hayes said moving the town’s election to coincide with the state and federal elections last week was “the best thing we ever did.” Hayes said Tuesday night the over 1,000 votes cast in the municipal election was an “amazing turnout” that the town has never seen before. Although the election results are still unofficial, attorney Stan Reynolds administered the oaths of office to Hayes and Dan Clark and Stephanie Murrell, who become the new members of the town council. Hayes presented a plaque to outgoing Councilman Allen Johnson and said one will be presented to retiring Councilman Dale Whitfield, who was not present at Tuesday’s meeting. The mayor praised both men for their service to the town. The council unanimously approved the re-appointment of Melody Lewis as town recorder, a position she has held for 23 years, and Stan Reynolds as town attorney, in which he has served for 18 years. Hayes said with the election of planning commission Chairman Clark to the council, he will serve as the council’s representative following the resignation of Councilman Oscar Martin from the planning commission. Hayes said she plans to appoint a new citizen representative to the planning commission in the next couple of months. Also sworn in Tuesday night was new police Officer Derrick Hunt, a four-year veteran of the Dickson Police Department.