New Town Government Takes Shape

Clayton's town government for the next four years solidified into place this week as newly-elected Councilman Jason Thompson attended his first official Town Council meeting, and the town's newly-reelected members, Councilman R.S. "Butch" Lawter Jr. and Mayor Jody McLeod, began their latest terms of office.

It was the last meeting for two-term Councilman Alex Harding, who lost to Thompson in last month's town election.

As Clerk of Superior Court Will Crocker administered the oath of office to the incoming members, Thompson's grandfather Cooper Starling stood with him; Lawter Jr.'s wife Kim and son Andy stood with him and Town Clerk Sherry Scoggins stood with the Mayor.

Thompson called Clayton's town government "a fine tuned machine" that runs smoothly thanks to good leadership and high-quality employees.

"The employees of the town make us look good every day," he said.

Lawter Jr. said the town has made tremendous progress in recent years "and I'm glad to be back up here being a part of it."

Mayor McLeod said he is "tremendously honored" to be elected to a third term.

"When you've had the pleasure of being the Mayor of the best town in the United States, the best you can say is 'Thank You,'" he said.

In departing, Harding had high praise for Mayor McLeod and Town Manager Steve Biggs who he said have helped the Council "position Clayton for a prosperous future." The Mayor had this to say of Harding: "When you serve in an office like this, you hope when you're through that the town is better off than when you started, and this is certainly the case for Alex Harding."

The Board's liaison and committee assignments will remain the same in 2012, with the exception of Thompson as an alternate delegate to the Triangle J Council of Governments. He will take Lawter's place as delegate after an initial "break-in" period.

Councilman Michael Grannis was reelected Mayor Pro Tem and will continue leading the Council in the Mayor's absence.