By Desiree Taylor

and Alison McFerrin

The Selma Times-Journal

Valley Grande’s City Council meeting began at 7 p.m. By 7:15, it had gained a new member.

Gene Middlebrooks was unanimously appointed by the members present to fill place 1, which has been vacant since April 25 when Marie Middlebrooks died.

“There’s no learning curve involved with Mr. Middlebrooks at all,” Mayor Tom Lee said. “This is just wonderful to have somebody like him offer to come back and help us. All three of the candidates were absolutely qualified and we appreciate their interest.”

Middlebrooks served on the Council in place of someone who stepped down in 2007.

Other candidates for the position were Gene Hisel, Aubrey Smitherman and Lynetta Hicks. Middlebrooks’ name was the first called, and he was appointed unanimously.

“I’m very pleased with it,” said Councilwoman Patsy Moore. “That was my choice from the start. He has worked with us since day one.”

Middlebrooks said his wife would be glad that he was stepping back into the Council.

“She would be pleased,” Middlebrooks said. “She came to almost every meeting when I served on the council before and I supported her when she was on the council. It’s a thing we’ve done together.”

Middlebrooks will be officially sworn in as the councilmember in place 1 by a judge at a planning session at a later date.

“I’d like to continue some of the things the council is already doing,” Middlebrooks said. “I’m very excited about activities — like the ball parks and walking trail. If we’re going to have a viable community, we have to bring in young people and that’s what we’re doing.”