ALPHARETTA, Ga. — More than a dozen Alpharetta officials took their oath of office before a crowd of residents, friends and family at City Hall Jan. 2.
Alpharetta Associate Judge Jamie Bendall swore in one new councilman and 26 appointees to the city’s boards and commissions at the ceremony.
Fergal Brady is the only new face on the City Council this year. Brady assumed the Post 5 seat after Jason Binder did not seek reelection in 2023.
Brady is the chief financial officer of Galerie Living, a senior living operation based in Buckhead. He also previously served on the Planning Commission and Code Enforcement Board.
Brady will serve as liaison to the Finance Department on the City Council.
Mayor Jim Gilvin was sworn-in for his final term. Gilvin has held the seat since his victory in a 2018 special election. He served two terms as a city councilmember before that. He has lived in Alpharetta since 1998 and is a licensed real estate agent.
Following his oath, Gilvin thanked Alpharetta residents for their years of support. He credited former municipal judge and City Councilman Jim Matoney for teaching him the distinction between politicians and public servants.
Gilvin said he is grateful for the opportunity to serve as mayor.
“So, thank you for four more years, and this is the last time you’ll have to worry about me being sworn-in,” he said.
Councilmen Dan Merkel and John Hipes retained their seats after the 2023 municipal election was canceled due to a lack of challengers.
Hipes, a local attorney, was elected to Post 4 in 2018. He serves as liaison to Recreation, Parks and Cultural Services.
At the ceremony, Hipes spoke of his roots in the city. He has lived in Alpharetta since 1989, established his career, raised his children and said he became a better person because of the community.
“This is my world,” he…
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