Newly elected mayor of Prichard sworn in

PRICHARD, Ala. (WALA) - The City of Prichard has a new mayor.

Troy Ephriam took the helm Monday before a packed house. Ephriam beat out the incumbent Rob Davis by a landslide earlier this year.

The former city councilman said his first order of business will be calling for unity among the city council members.

Just last week, the council went forward with renewing city contracts that Ephriam thought should have waited.

He said looking over those contracts will be a part of his 90-day plan.

"[We will] evaluate the job performance of those departments, not just the police, not just the fire, not just finance but all the departments to see where they are, where they will be in the next 90 days and where we expect to be this time next year," said Ephriam.

Ephriam takes over during a financial tumult in a city that is struggling with money - or a lack thereof.

"Immediately, we have to address the issues of financial reorganization, to address the issue of our bankruptcy as well as trying to identify plans to restructure our pension plans situation," said Ephriam.

His first act as Mayor was to request that a bankruptcy attorney attend the city council meeting this on Thursday. Three new members joined the Prichard city council in the election as well, Lorenzo Martin, Derrick Griffin and George McCall, Jr. Incumbents sworn in were Ossia Edwards and Earline Martin-Harris, who was chosen as the council president.

Ephriam has served on the city council for the past decade when he won appointment to fill the unexpired term of his father, who had died.

Ephriam carried his late father's picture in his pocket today.

"He led the way, and I am prepared and ready to serve," said Ephriam. "My mother told me don't let my father's work be in vain."

Ephriam said the Prichard of yesterday is no more, and he plans to regain the public's trust and rebuild the city's image.