DEMOREST, Ga. — Mayor Jerry Harkness began another term Tuesday, officially taking the oath alongside incumbent council members Shawn Allen and Andrew Ferguson during a ceremony at City Hall.
City Clerk Megan Chastain administered the oath of office to Harkness, who ran unopposed in November. Following his swearing-in, Harkness administered the oath to Allen and Ferguson.
Allen, beginning his third term on the Demorest City Council, told Now Habersham he is eager to continue serving his hometown.
“I’m glad to get the opportunity to serve the city that I was born in and grew up in,” Allen said. “This is going to be my technically third term, second full term. I look forward to carrying the city forward and all the things that we do for our citizens and our taxpayers,” he said.
Ferguson, starting his second term, said his first experience in politics gave him insight into how a city operates.
“The first term that was, it was really my first time being involved in politics,” Ferguson said. “Just being involved in organizations one thing, but being involved in politics, and it’s kind of learning how a city, a municipality, operates, was eye opening, and it has given me opportunities.”
Ferguson said he currently works for the city of Hoschton and said being an employee for a municipality gives him great knowledge into the decision making process of being a council member. He told Now Habersham he looks forward to his second term.
“I’m excited, you know, to bring new ideas and and to just build on what we have going awesome so that we are prepared for the future,” Ferguson said.
Both council members won reelection in November after finishing as the top two vote getters in a four-person race.
