Culpepper is sworn in as Harlem mayor

Harlem has a new mayor.

//

Bobby Culpepper, the lone candidate to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Scott Dean, was sworn into office Friday at Harlem City Hall.

Culpepper's name still will be on the July 15 special election ballot, but he has already officially accepted the job.

"All of you have been my support for many, many years, and it means so much to me to have you here at this time," Culpepper said to the crowded room at his swearing-in, which included all four city council members, city department heads and his family. "I ask you to continue to be my support, because I can't do this job by myself by any means. I have a lot to learn."

Because no one qualified to run against Culpepper and no write-in candidates registered within seven days of the qualifying period, which ended April 30, Culpepper can go ahead and take office, said Ann Hicks, the assistant director of the Secretary of State Elections Division.

Culpepper, the owner of a Ford dealership in Thomson, will fill the unexpired term of Dean, who recently resigned as mayor to run for a Columbia County Commission seat.