During a regular scheduled City Council meeting the Mayor and Council appointed George Govignon as City Attorney.

Govignon was appointed as the interim City Attorney during the July 9 City Council meeting after the former City Attorney Bill Bailey passed away.

“The decision was based on the work he did in the interim position, and the council has been pleased with the dealings of the projects he was presented with,” City of Calhoun Mayor Jimmy Palmer said.

During the July 9 City Council meeting it was announced the City would welcome applications for the City Attorney position later in the year, possibly the first of November, for evaluation with the goal of evaluating all applicants before the yearly appointments occur at the first council meeting in January 2013.

After the City of Calhoun advertised the position in the Calhoun Times and on the City’s website there was one other applicant.

According to Calhoun City Clerk Paul Worley, the other applicant for the position was a man named George Salley from Cedartown.

“He (Govignon) was the only local one between the two that were running for the position. We rely on the City Attorney for quite a few issues, so it’s more convenient for him to be local,” Palmer said. “But that wasn’t the reason he was chosen. He was more qualified, and has done a good job for the city in the past few months.”

During the November 12 City Council meeting the Mayor and Council commended Mr. Govignon for doing a great job filling in for the late Bill Bailey.

Govignon received his Bachelor’s of Art in Political Science and Public Administration from Auburn University. He later attended Cumberland School of Law of Samford University where he received his Juris Doctorate.

Govignon started practicing law in 1997 when Bill Bailey took him in under his wing. Govignon said Bailey had been a close family friend. Govignon was sworn in by Judge Jefferson Davis.

“It’s an honor to have been appointed , and also to provide service to my adoptive community of 15 years,” Govignon said.