During a special meeting of the Columbus Town Council on Thursday, Scott Hamby was sworn in as a new member. Hamby will be filling the seat of Ricky McCallister who resigned Jan. 8 from council when he moved out of Columbus. McCallister now resides at Red Fox Country Club.

“In looking at the statutes of North Carolina there really is no guidance, per se, at how council reaches its determination of who they want to choose to fill that seat,” said Mayor Eric McIntyre.

“Since Mr. McCallister announced that he has moved out of town and tendered his resignation, there’s been discussion amongst council members, one on one, and no more than a group of two, about certain names that have been presented to us.  Of those names, which we discussed at length, I think every council member here, along with myself, has agreed that one of the names is preferred, and that name is Scott Hamby,” said McIntyre.

Hamby is a 20-year veteran with North Carolina State Highway Patrol, as well as the United States Marine Corps.

“I have the utmost respect for the members of town council and although this might sound cliché, I really want to be a voice for the people of Columbus.  I love to talk with them and find out what they want, and then come to town council and try to help them out,” said Hamby.