JOHNSTON – The town of Johnston welcomed its new mayor, Andy Livingston, at last week's monthly council meeting.

Former Mayor Willie Campbell and former Councilman Holmes were also honored by council and presented with awards.

Mayor Campbell then passed the keys over to Johnston’s new mayor, Andy Livingston.

Councilman Homes also passed over to his seat to his next door neighbor, Tommy Stone. The two were sworn in by the town’s attorney, Greg Anderson, along with re-elected councilman Tommy Burton. Council then chose its Mayor Pro Tem for the year, Buddy Smith, along with Frances Quarles as town clerk, and Greg Anderson as town attorney.

Council then went on to discuss monthly business, approving a resolution for April to be declared Fair Housing Month, and a resolution encouraging the town’s citizens to clean up their yards and homes for the annual Peach Blossom Festival taking place on May 1.

A budget workshop was scheduled for Tuesday, May 4.

The meeting ended with Mayor Livingston communicating to the council his hopes for the year, including improved communication between the council and Johnston’s citizens. The mayor would also like a town website to be designed along with a Facebook page.

He encouraged the council to concentrate on the 2010 Census and pledged to review the hospitality tax and determine a plan for the tax’s monies.

Mayor Livingston also pledged to take on the large task of reviewing all of the town’s ordinances throughout the year and determining those that needed to be re-written or removed.

Mayor Livingston ended his speech with his vision of Johnston as “small town South Carolina, USA.” He stated that he planned to promote Johnston as a sort of Mayberry-type town, a place with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.