By Terry Schrimscher
ARGO, Ala.–Scott Hughes began his tenure as Municipal Court Judge in the City of Argo on Tuesday night as he was given the oath of office by retiring Judge Carl E. Chamblee during the first November meeting of the Argo City Council. The meeting was moved to Nov. 12 due to the Veterans Day holiday on Monday.
Hughes was selected in a special called meeting of the Argo City Council on Nov. 6 after the council accepted Chamblee’s resignation last month. A practicing attorney in Trussville, Hughes is a former Assistant District Attorney. He retired from the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2014.
“I am truly honored and thankful to be selected to serve as the next Municipal Judge for the City of Argo,” Hughes told the Trussville Tribune. “I am grateful that Judge Chamblee recommended me to be his successor, and I am grateful that the Mayor and City Council have demonstrated their confidence in me to serve. Judge Chamblee has set a very high standard, and I will do my best to carry out my duties in that same manner.”
Hughes added words of thanks to the council and those in attendance at City Hall.
“I’m pleased as I can be and I look forward to serving as the next judge. I’m not going to be able to fill Judge Chamblee’s shoes, I’m going to try to be the best judge I can and represent the city with honor and class and professionalism.”
Chamblee spoke to the council congratulating them on choosing Hughes and thanked the city for allowing him to serve. Chamblee has served Argo for more than 37 years. He will continue to serve the City of Trussville, where he has been on the bench since 1984. He also practices law in Trussville.
“He’s been the judge for Argo almost as long as the town has existed,” said Mayor Betty Bradley. “I think there was someone in office before him but just for a short while. We’re going to miss him,” Bradley said of Chamblee.
Chief Alan Busler of the Argo Police Department delivered the department’s monthly report for October activity. He reported one possible murder investigation with the city of Springville where Argo officers were first on the scene.
Fire Chief Scott Payne also presented his monthly report during the meeting. In his report, he said the department received 59 total calls including 18 assists. The department also issued 8 burn permits.
The next regular meeting of the Argo council is scheduled for Tuesday November, 19 with a work session at 5 p.m. and the regular meeting following immediately after the session. An agenda for each meeting is posted in local businesses including Hill Top Farms, Argo Hardware, Liberty Automotive, Shell, Southland BBQ, Fox’s Pizza and Buckeye Grocery. Agendas are also posted on the city’s Facebook page.
