Grovetown council appoints Trudeau, newcomer to seats

Grovetown City Council members appointed a veteran and a rookie to fill two recently vacated seats at Wednesday's monthly meeting.

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The mayor and two remaining council members unanimously appointed former Mayor Dennis Trudeau and newcomer Jennifer McCullough to fill the seats left empty by Barry Davis and Robert Newman.

"I was excited," said McCullough, 31, of taking her seat between Mayor George James and Trudeau. "I was very nervous."

Trudeau said he enjoyed being able to make a motion and vote, which he couldn't do during his 20-year term as mayor. His previous tenure ended in 2007, when he decided not to seek re-election.

"Thank you for volunteering your services," James told Trudeau and McCullough, who were chosen from 13 volunteer candidates for the positions.

McCullough, an accountant for E-Z-Go Textron, has lived in Grovetown for 12 years and saw the vacant seats as an opportunity.

"I've loved the city of Grovetown and wanted to be a part of it and try to make it better and help it continue to grow," she said.

The seats became available Jan. 1. Newman, who announced his resignation Nov. 30, cited personal reasons and moved out of the city.

Davis, who was married in October, also moved out of the city.

With less than a year remaining on each term, council members were able to fill the seats until permanent replacements are elected in November.

Trudeau said he's happy to lend his experience but said he has no intention of seeking re-election in November.

"I'm just filling (in) for one year," he said.

McCullough, on the other hand, said she hasn't decided if she'll put her name on the ballot.

"I guess we'll see how the year plays out," she said.