"It was everything I thought it would be." That was the way Ironton's new mayor described his first day on the job.

John Elam was sworn in at midnight in an official ceremony. He repeated his swearing in at an official ceremony Monday night just prior to the organizational session of the city council.

"I

met with department directors and made some phone calls," Elam said. "It was a productive day."

New council member Chuck O'Leary was also sworn in, along with two returning members of council, Jesse Roberts and Richard Price.

Council Chairman Jim Tordiff called a special meeting for Thursday night to consider someone to replace Elam on council That meeting will be at 6 p.m.

Both O'Leary and Roberts said they had gotten several phone calls from people who are interested in the position.

"There are several good candidates, good qualified people," Roberts said. "I think there will be a lot of thought go into this. Since Nov. 5, we've known we would have to find a replacement and we've had time to think it over. Each person (on council) has given a lot of thought to the kind of person they would like to have in that position. I think each one of us has the best intentions."

Council reappointed the law firm of Anderson and Anderson as city solicitors, Janet Hieronimus as council clerk and Cindy Anderson as finance director, as well as J.B. Collier Jr. as prosecutor.