Andy Jackson took the oath of office Tuesday night to fill the unexpired term of Wayne Smith on the Roanoke Rapids City Council’s District 2 seat.

Smith stepped down in June due to health concerns and Jackson, former deputy chief for the city’s police department, was appointed to the seat earlier this month.

Before administering the oath of office to Jackson, Halifax County Superior Court Judge Brenda Branch said, “We go way back. He grew me up. I am pleased tonight because I know him as being a fair and thoughtful person. I’m so proud of you.”

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After his appointment two weeks ago Jackson said his immediate plans were “just to get busy and get more involved with the community.”

He said at the time his number one priority in the city is safety and the number two priority is cleanliness. “With those two things comes prosperity.”

Road closure for Christmas parade

In another matter the council approved the December 8 road closure of Roanoke Avenue for the annual Christmas parade.

Police Chief Shane Guyant told the council that in recent years the state Department of Transportation has required an ordinance for the closing of state roads for special events.

The ordinance, which will close the avenue between Fourteenth and First streets from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., says, “ … the city council … acknowledges a long tradition of providing an annual Christmas parade for the pleasure of its citizens.”

The ordinance continues, “The city council … acknowledges its citizens realize a financial benefit from holding an annual Christmas parade.”