Four Dothan officials take oath of office

Mike Schmitz placed one hand on the Holy Bible held by his wife, Sandy, and raised his other, swearing to uphold the laws of the state of Alabama and “the great city of Dothan, Alabama,” Schmitz said, adding the adjective.

After receiving the oath from Municipal Judge Rose Evans Gordon in a Tuesday evening ceremony at the Dothan Civic Center, Schmitz kissed his wife and hugged his son, Michael, before addressing the crowd.

“I just love our town,” Schmitz said. “I was going to talk about the challenges of the sewer project, the landfill, the EPA lawsuit, the school system, the dropout rate ... and then I thought, ‘Naw.’ Whatever challenges we are facing, we are made up of hard-working people who are willing to take on the challenges.”

The new mayor reflected on the months of preparation to make his first bid for public office, the weeks of campaigning, all the public speeches and forums, concluding, “I’m ready to go to work.”

Schmitz won a resounding victory over District 6 Commissioner Keith Seagle in the July municipal elections. Calling himself a member of “the old school,” Schmitz said he believes the city can continue to thrive “with the right attitude and a willingness to work hard.”

Also sworn in was District 1 Commissioner James Reading, accompanied by his wife, Vivian, and their granddaughter. Reading returns to the commission after defeating incumbent Larry Matthews in a runoff. Matthews defeated him four years ago.

Turning to Schmitz, Reading said he looks forward to working with the new mayor, the commission and the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce. “I pledge to work with you in a harmonious way,” he said.

Incumbent commissioners Paul Lee of District 3 and Taylor Barbaree of District 5 were also sworn in during the ceremony City Manager Mike West called “democracy in action.”

Lee, standing with his wife, Ellen, and daughter, Beth, said the last four years have been humbling. “I tried to make District 3 a better place to live. Now, more than ever, I understand the importance of a commission working together. I pledge to be accessible and accountable.”

Barbaree thanked those who have served the youngest district in the city before him — Steve Stokes and Pat Thomas.

“We made great strides over the past four years,” he said. “I pledge to continue to work with all the commission to continue that.”

Barbaree thanked his wife, Jenna, who was pointed out by the couple’s first-grade son, Mitchell. “And the 2-year-old you hear screaming somewhere in the background is our son, Grayson,” the commissioner said.