A new era of political leadership took the reins in Smyrna Monday, as the city’s new mayor and City Council members were sworn in to office.
Mayor Derek Norton on Monday took the oath of office, along with the new City Council members, Glenn Pickens of Ward 1, Austin Wagner of Ward 2 and Travis Lindley of Ward 3.
Returning Council members Charles Welch of Ward 4, Susan Wilkinson of Ward 5, Tim Gould of Ward 6 and Lewis Wheaton of Ward 7 were also administered their oaths of office.
Norton succeeds Max Bacon, who decided not to seek re-election after serving 34 years in office. Bacon used his final moments at the dais Monday night to recognize his family, friends and the citizens who supported him and his long-running tenure in public service.
Bacon served one term on the Smyrna City Council before he began his tenure as mayor. He became mayor in 1985 after his father, Arthur T. Bacon, died in office.
“If you’re up here for any other reason than to serve the public, then you’re up here for the wrong reason,” he said. “It’s all about the people who are in the audience right now.”
Norton also praised Bacon for his service to Smyrna, which during his role as mayor transformed from a small bedroom community to a bustling Atlanta suburb in southern Cobb County.
“Thank you for all you’ve done for me,” he said.
Norton, 43, is the director of government relations for the Medical Association of Georgia. He has a bachelor’s degree in international business from the University of Georgia. He and wife, Laura, have two children, Samantha and Jack.
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