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Former Celina Vice Mayor Tonya Spears has taken over as the city’s mayor.
Celina City Hall reports Spears was officially sworn in as the new mayor April 9 after former mayor Joey Rich stepped down due to health reasons.
Spears said Wednesday she hopes to continue the Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s efforts in moving the city forward as she settles into her new position.
“One of the things I was trying to catch up on is what had been started, [what was] in place, and just to see what needs immediate attention opposed to things I can get to a little later in the week, so to speak,” Spears said. “I’ll just continue to do the job that he was doing. I just regret that it had to take place the way it did, but I hope to continue to do good things.”
Spears previously worked at the Upper Cumberland Human Resources Agency for nearly 10 years before stepping down to pursue the Celina vice mayor position.
Celina becomes at least the fourth municipality in the Upper Cumberland with a female mayor along with Algood, Allardt, and Carthage.
Spears’ move to mayor opens a position on the city’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Celina citizens who have lived within city limits for 12 consecutive months can apply for the position through April 26 with applications being considered during the city’s next meeting May 14.
