Town of Ardmore Mayor Eugene Shannon broke with tradition on Monday night and decided to do things in a new and innovative way. Rather than appointing a new vice mayor, Shannon asked members of the council to vote in a secret ballot to select the new officer.

Councilman Moody King, who previously served as vice mayor, recently resigned as second in command.

“I am asking each one of you to write down a name on a secret ballot and give it to Darla (Town Clerk Darla Daly),” said Shannon at the scheduled meeting of the council held on July 10. “I will cast my vote and we will count them tomorrow.”

Shannon asked if anyone had any objections to his method of choosing the new vice mayor. No one voiced an objection.

“This way I can get your input beforehand,” concluded Shannon.

In other business, the council heard a report from Street Superintendent Terry Barkley regarding recent renovations at the Town of Ardmore, Alabama Conference Room. Barkley reported that new tile had been cut and laid and that a chair railing had been installed. Awnings have been ordered as well as new furniture. The conference room is slated to be completed by July 18, in time for the runoff election.

Mayor Shannon and Barkley both informed the council that replacing the door to the conference room is somewhat complicated.

“The existing door is a seven-foot door,” said Mayor Shannon. “Most doors are now 6’8” and we can’t get one to fit the existing frame.” Barkley reported on the results of his investigation into how much replacing the door and the frame will cost. According to Barkley, the cost should not exceed $1,200.

Councilman Billy Shannon stated that he felt a new door and frame should be purchased and the council agreed.

Barkley also updated the council on progress made on upgrades at the Alabama Park. According to Barkley, all the new lights are up and functional, including new lighting at the walking track.

In a final matter, the council heard complaints from several citizens regarding dogs running loose in Ardmore. Barkley told the council that the issue of stray dogs was an ongoing one and that he often had to capture dogs and take them to the pound in Athens.

The council agreed that stricter enforcement of dog-related ordinances in the town needed to be carried out.

The next meeting of the Town Council is at 6:30 PM on Monday, August 14.