By Barry Porterfield
In with the new and in with the old. It was a kind of theme Tuesday night as Pauls Valley’s city council got one new member, while an incumbent started a new term after winning the tightest of races last week.
Taking his place on the council for the first time was Hal Blevins.
At the same time Tim Gamble started a brand new term after earning it during a lot drawing last week.
Both took part in an official swearing-in ceremony, as did a brand new city clerk.
For Blevins the experience was new after he won the office during a local runoff municipal election in April.
Blevins joins the council after he defeated incumbent Gary Alfred by 31 votes.
During Tuesday night’s regular council meeting Alfred was officially recognized for his service while in office.
Moments later Alfred joined a new team as he was nominated and approved to be a new member of a local recreation advisory board.
Sworn into his new term was Gamble after a drawing last week allowed him to take the win over challenger Kevin Stark.
During last month’s runoff election the two candidates finished in a deadlocked tie as each collected 321 votes.
With PV’s charter now calling for a tie vote to be decided by state election statutes, a drawing was held a week ago at the county courthouse in PV.
A large contingent of onlookers were present as Garvin County Special District Judge Trisha Misak agreed to pull the winning candidate’s name out of a container.
Taking only seconds to perform the deed, Misak reached in and pulled out one of two pieces of paper placed inside.
The name on that paper was Gamble allowing him to break the tie and claim the win.
During Tuesday’s council meeting Gamble not only started a new four-year term but was also approved by the group to continue serving as the local mayor.
There was also no change in the second slot as Billy Riddle was approved to remain in the position of vice mayor.
Although not part of the council, Kira Davis was given’s the council’s blessing to starting serving as Pauls Valley’s new city clerk.
The approval came after City Manager James Frizell chose Davis as the replacement for the retiring Barbara Plummer.
