New Locust Police Officer Matthew Crosby, left, is introduced by Police Chief Jeff Shew.
The Dec. 12 regular meeting of Locust City Council opened with City Clerk Amy Furr administering oaths of office to one new council member (DeDe Nathan), three re-elected council members (Larry Baucom, Rusty Efird and Michael Haigler) and to re-elected Mayor Stephen Huber.
Nathan, serving her first term on the council, will fill the seat of departing councilman Harry Fletcher, who chose not to seek re-election, and will join the three re-elected members as well as incumbents Roger Hypes, Barry Sims and Mandy Watson.
Another new face in Locust will be Officer Matthew Crosby, who was introduced to the council by Locust Police Chief Jeff Shew.
Crosby, who recently completed the Basic Law Enforcement Training curriculum, comes with "a very positive reputation," according to Shew and Huber.
In other business, the council:
● Approved Baucom as Mayor Pro-Tem;
● Received the 2023-24 city audit from Nick Wicker of the Strickland Hardee CPA firm. Wicker reported that "no material weaknesses nor deficiencies" were detected.
● Approved the council's regular meeting schedule for 2025. The board will continue to meet on the second Thursday of each month, with the exception of the August meeting, which will take place on the third Thursday.
● Conducted a public hearing on a voluntary annexation request at 9782 Quail Run Road, with no one speaking for or against. Following the hearing, the request was approved unanimously, and will become effective on June 30, 2025.
● Councilman Michael Haigler reported that the Crossroads Project is officially complete, with M/I Homes having closed on the 200-acre tract on Meadowcreek Church Road.
● Heard from Mario Miller of Whispering Hills Road during the public comment period. Miller praised City Hall staff members Mandy Thomas and Wendy Lowder for excellent service, and suggested that the council recognize them publicly. Miller also expressed concerns over traffic issues on Tranquil Court and Mission Church Road, noted that "there are many speeders" in those areas, and observed that speed bumps are needed.
Locust City Council will next meet on Jan. 9, 2025.