District 3 appointee seeking confirmation

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - There is a new member on the Mobile City Council. C.J. Small was sworn in Tuesday, November 20 to serve out the rest of Jermaine Burrell's term.

It was a tearful goodbye from Burrell, who is leaving for a job in Boston. Burrell served three years on the council. after defeating long-time Councilman Clinton Johnson in 2009.

He thanked his fellow council members and bid them farewell.

"To my colleagues, as I've told you, many of my friends, that most of our decisions have been unanimous but those that determine great debate, we always pull together and do what is right for the city," said Burrell.

Burrell is passing the torch to Small, a local businessman. Small was appointed by Mayor Jones and approved by the council. With his mother at his side, he took the oath of office.

Small said he will be able to run a business and fulfill his duties as councilman with help from his professional staff.

He said he's committed to District 3 - it's where he lives and owns a business. Small said one of his first orders of business is to repair bumps in the road on Ann Street. He said he would also like to stop the youth violence that has plagued his district. Finally, he named Brookley Field, the future home of Airbus, as a top priority.

"Not only for the improvement of Mobile, Airbus is going to open doors not only for Mobile, but Alabama and the U.S.," said Small.