Elected officials switch positions

During the latest political rearranging in Grovetown, George James and Tony Arnold ended up in each other's former posts.

"The boys just did a swap," Grovetown Mayor Dennis Trudeau said. "Tony Arnold took James' place and George James took Arnold's spot."

Arnold was elected Nov. 4 to fill the unexpired 26 months remaining in George James' term on Grovetown's City Council. He was sworn in Monday before his first city council meeting.

"It was a very nice and welcomed celebration," Arnold said of his swearing in. "I have looked forward to it for some time. It went real well. I am pleased and very happy to start serving the citizens in an even greater capacity that I have been."

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James had resigned his city council seat to run for in the District 4 county commission race, which was won be Lee Anderson. Arnold resigned as chairman from Grovetown's Planning and Zoning Commission to run for James' city council seat.

One of Arnold's first actions on city council was to vote in James to fill the remaining 38 months remaining on the planning commission.

"I certainly feel his experience and expertise and concern for all the citizens of Grovetown will continue to be a great asset to our city," Arnold said of James, who will fill the chairman spot.

James is not new to the planning commission. He spent 2000 and 2001 on the board before resigning to run for city council.

"I want to stay involved and do what I can," James said. "I enjoy working for the people and looking after their best interests. I have always been that way.

"You never know what politics will bring about."

Both men said they look forward to working together.

"We are going to be members of the same team," Arnold said. "The planning and zoning board and the city council are two great teams. Regardless where either one of us are, we can do a lot for the city."