It’s official – Robert “Buddy” Moore is the new Mayor of Blairsville after swearing into his new position on Friday, Feb. 28.
Moore is a familiar face at City Hall, having served on the Blairsville City Council for years. His fellow council members appointed him mayor last month at the recommendation of outgoing Mayor Jim Conley, who decided to retire before the end of his term that runs through Dec. 31.
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“After serving Blairsville as council member since 2009, it is an honor to continue serving in a different capacity as mayor,” Moore said. “We have a great City Council that works well together with Department Heads and all employees toward making Blairsville fiscally responsible, while delivering dependable services to the citizens in the community.”
As mayor, Moore said he will continue to work with Department Heads to look for “new and efficient ways to improve services for citizens.”
“And I will work with council members to ensure future generations have the opportunity to live and work in our community,” Moore said. “Keeping the economy thriving and making the city more walkable are among important goals.”
Continuing, “We are fortunate to have council members and employees with a ton of knowledge and experience. They work together well and strive to serve. I cannot imagine inheriting a better group of people to work with. Keeping the city vibrant is important to everyone.”
Moore has extensive experience himself in a variety of areas that he will be calling on to lead the city.
He has degrees in accounting and business, possesses building and manufacturing knowledge, has worked closely with regional and state organizations for the betterment of Blairsville, has volunteered for local clubs, and is a successful financial advisor and local business leader.
Ultimately, Mayor Moore looks forward to combining his considerable experience with his love for the city to keep Blairsville on the path he has helped to forge as an elected official for the past 16 years.
“My wife Teresa and I have lived in the City of Blairsville 19 years,” Moore added. “We really enjoy the sense of community and convenience of living downtown. It has a small-town vibe you really have to live to understand. Blairsville is a really great place to live.”
Teresa Moore looked on proudly during Moore’s swear-in, saying afterward that she knows her husband to be a man of integrity, consideration and common sense with “a heart for Blairsville” who will carry on the tradition of rational deliberations for which he was known on the council.
“It feels like just a transition,” Teresa said. “He’s been on the City Council for so long, this is just like the next step. And he’s ready for it.”
Also swearing in at City Hall on Friday was political newcomer Brock Gordon, whom the council appointed last month to finish Moore’s unexpired council term, also through Dec. 31.
Gordon and Moore are friends and neighbors, and Gordon is arriving at the council on the new mayor’s recommendation. The councilman is a Blairsville native who teaches U.S. History at Union County High School, where he also serves as an assistant baseball coach.
“I am excited for this opportunity,” Gordon said. “I hope to do a good job and learn from (everyone at the city), and just do the best I can for the city and make decisions that I feel are right in promoting Blairsville.”
Added Gordon, “It’s definitely a cool opportunity to be able to do something like this and get to see the inner workings of what goes on in the city itself.”
On his last day as mayor last week, Conley watched inside Council Chambers as Moore and Gordon took their oaths of office as administered by City Attorney Marvin Harkins.
“I think they’re both going to prove themselves to be very good stewards of the City of Blairsville,” Conley said. “Buddy knows enough about the city and the works of the city as far as the different departments because he’s had his hand in pretty much everything over the years, especially with the Water Department and the Airport.
“And of course, the new council member, Brock, I’m sure is going to grasp things very quickly. I think he’s eager enough and ready to jump right in there and get busy.”
Mayor Moore said Friday he wishes to communicate with residents, property owners and businesses on an ongoing basis the importance and significance of what goes on at City Hall, and he eagerly anticipates working with the public in his new post.
“Elected and appointed officers of the city are trustees and servants of the residents of the city,” Moore explained. “The City Council is composed of a mayor and five council members. A majority vote of the council is required to pass any policy or significant expenditures.
“Blairsville City Council is responsible for all legislation. This includes setting policy for the government by enacting various ordinances, resolutions and regulations.
“The responsibilities of Mayor include presiding over meetings, ensuring that city departments operate efficiently, fostering a sense of community, and providing leadership and services to municipal citizens.”
