The Dozier Town Council held its first official meeting in three months Monday, just days after appointments by Gov. Bob Riley filled two vacant council seats.

The council held its last official meeting Jan. 12, when District 1 representative Jane Ellison submitted her resignation. After Mayor-Pro Tem Karen Davis was voted in as the new mayor that same evening, this then created a second vacant seat on the council, with this one being in District 2.

Riley’s appointments included Johnnyphar Davis, District 1, and Ann Holland, district two. Both were officially sworn in Monday evening by Crenshaw County Probate Judge Jim Perdue.

“We’re glad to have them,” said Council woman Jannie Bush. “Now, maybe we can have a council meeting without all that commotion and we can get some business done.”

Unable to meet quorum with the absence of two other members, the seven-seat council was forced to cancel five meetings between Jan. 12 and April 13.

Councilwoman Linda Hutto, who on Monday attended her first scheduled meeting since January, said she missed three of the meetings due to work conflicts and another because of a family emergency. She said she was not notified of the March 9 meeting.

Dozier Mayor Karen Davis disagreed.

“All of the council members received a hand-delivered notice of the March 9 meeting,” Davis said. “They were personally delivered by our police chief, Terry Mears.”

Bob Morrison also missed five scheduled meetings since January. He did not attend Monday’s meeting. Repeated calls to a cell phone number for Morrison were not returned.

With the installation of Johnnyphar Davis and Ann Holland, the council was able to meet quorum and resume official business for the Town of Dozier.

Davis returns to a familiar role. He served on the council in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

“I was glad he (Riley) chose me so I could help,” Davis said. “This is not about me; it’s about what’s best for the town.”

Holland said she was also “honored to be chosen by the Governor.”

Council action taken Monday night includes:

u The transfer of an off-premises beer and wine license from Dozier Corner Station to Cost King Grocery Store.

u Approval of Mayor Karen Davis and Town Clerk Diane Wicks to sign checks retroactive to Jan. 12.

u Announcement by Police Chief Terry Mears of an ADECA grant of $25,000 for a new police car.

u Announcement by Mears that unleashed or unsecured animals would be caged in accordance with state law.