VALDOSTA, Ga. – At the Thursday, January 9, 2020 Valdosta City Council meeting, the newest mayor, Scott James Matheson, was sworn in, along with city council members.

The fully-packed seats in the upstairs courtroom at Valdosta’s City Hall left many standing, and others peeking in from the doorways.

Outgoing Mayor John Gayle sat near the front and watched, the first time in many years he hasn’t been front and center leading the meeting.

Scott James Matheson won the city’s mayoral position after a tight race that ended with a December 5, 2019 runoff against J.D. Rice.

City council members were also sworn in.