Published: November 02, 2009 10:48 pm      

Velma appoints new mayor and councilman

VELMA — The town of Velma had a new mayor and council member appointed during Tuesday’s regular town council meeting.

Shawn Enloe was the Vice-Mayor, and became acting mayor after Winston Dumas had to resign due to scheduling conflicts.

“We had to do some re-assigning and elect another mayor,” Enloe said. “Since I was already acting mayor, they elected to just keep me there.”

Enloe has been on the Velma Town Council for about a year. He started as a councilman, then was appointed vice-mayor and now mayor.

“More responsibility seems to fall on the shoulders of the mayor,” Enloe said. “I just want to do what’s best for the community, and I’m sure that’s true for every council member.”

Enloe said that in his year on the council, he has seen “a lot of neat stuff” and hopes to contribute his fresh perspective to the position.

Enloe is self-employed and said that it will benefit him in this position.

“If there’s times during the day when I need to get away (from work), I can without a problem,” Enloe said. With the mayoral position filled, there was still the matter of a vacant councilman position. Council members decided between two candidates and appointed Mike Allred to the position.

“Mike is a life-long resident of Velma,” Enloe said. “I think he would bring the same fresh perspective on things that I had when I came in.

“He just wanted to volunteer his time and do whatever he could to help out the community.”

Allred has been with the Velma Volunteer Fire Department since 1979, and is now a career firefighter in Duncan. He has held several jobs in Velma including working as a Velma police officer and for the gas company.

“They had the position open and asked me if I wanted to do it,” Allred said. “I said ‘sure, I’ll give it a try.’

“I’ve worked and lived here all my life and I like to give back to the community. I like to help.”

Allred was appointed to his councilman position during Tuesday’s meeting as well.

“I know those guys real well,” Allred said. “I drink coffee with them every morning.”

Allred said that he will do his best at the position and just hopes to help the community.

“It’s a new challenge,” Allred said, “but I think I’m up for it.”