By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter
Chiefland Mayor Chris Jones came within a whisker of losing his seat as mayor Monday night in a split vote of the Chiefland City Commission.
He was able to keep the position when Commissioner Norm Weaver voted against a motion by fellow board member Lance Hayes to make Weaver the mayor. The motion failed 3-2.
Weaver then motioned for Jones to be mayor. The motion passed 3-2.
The positions of Chiefland mayor and vice mayor are held by city commissioners elected by their fellow board members to serve in those roles.
When Weaver heard the motion to nominate him as mayor, he bowed his head and said he just couldn’t accept it.
“I appreciate what Commissioner Hayes did. I’ll have to decline,” Weaver said. “I love that man (Jones). I think he does an outstanding job. I can’t in my heart replace Mr. Jones. I Iove him too much. It wouldn’t be right. I thank you so much pastor, but that’s a no vote.”
Commissioner Lance Hayes is a pastor.
Weaver’s motion to keep Jones as mayor passed with Commissioners Rollin Hudson, Weaver, and Jones in favor and Hayes and Johns opposed.
Jones then nominated Weaver to continue serving as vice mayor. The motion passed 5-0.
Jones thanked the commissioners who supported him as mayor and promised to work to gain the trust of the other two.
“I say this. I think the city has done better than it’s ever done in years. I think we have a commission that works together and has got a lot done for the city,” Jones said. “I think we have good people on the commission and in the city as a whole. I think we have a good working relationship. I’ve maintained that for some time. I would like to say thank you to the people who still have faith in me. For those that don’t, I hope I can do better for you,” Jones said.
Weaver, a retired school system administrator, teacher, and basketball coach for 30 years has focused as a commissioner on improving athletics for the city. He said his intent as he goes forward is to make changes including lowering the basketball goals for younger kids so 8-to-9-year-old kids can shoot the ball in the hoop.
He said he would like to make Aaron Larkin, co-founder of Tri-County Athletic Commission, and his group more competitive, “and maybe start having things there (at Buie Park) as opposed to having to go to Strickland Park. I don’t know if there’s more that can be done.”
Weaver said he wants to obtain a building that kids can use to practice and play basketball.
“Right now, we’re at the mercy of begging the high school and the middle school gyms just to practice, if you can get in there to practice. You may not be able to get in there,” Weaver said. “There are some things I’m trying to do. I appreciate your confidence. I’ll try to keep my nose to the grindstone.”
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City of Chiefland Regular Meeting May 9, 2022; Posted May 10, 2022
