Dr. Chad Gambrell is the newest member of the Pineville City Council. He was voted in during Monday evening’s meeting and given the oath of office by Mayor Shawn Fugate II.

A practicing family physician at MCHC, Gambrell grew up in Pineville and moved back to the town with his family after finishing his residency about nine years ago. He worked at Pineville Hospital for two years and has been with MCHS since then. His wife, Chassidy, is a member of the Pineville Board of Education and they have three children.

“I think we have a good council. I think the city is moving in the right direction — small businesses downtown, the revitalization process — I want that to continue,” he said while giving brief remarks before the council made their decision.

Gambrell said his father served on the city council for 14 years and his mother was a school board member.

Larry Lynn “LJ” Rose was also considered for the open council seat. A lifelong resident of Pineville, he’s an employee at Long’s Pic-Pac and a member of the Main Street promotion committee.

The council went into closed session to discuss the council seat for about ten minutes and then reconvened.

“We had two great candidates that are both assets to the community and are very interested in Pineville,” Fugate said and asked for a motion from the council.

Council member Scott Jeffrey made the motion to appoint Gambrell to the council and Mikey Long seconded it. They voted in favor along with Pat Bingham and Alicia Slusher, Councilman Bobby Valentine passed.

Fugate then invited Gambrell so he could be sworn in.

During her Main Street Report, Johnna Callebs shared that the annual Gala will be held on February 22 at the Pine Mountain State Resort Park.

“We do have some tickets left. They’re $65 and that includes dinner, the dance and a live band,” she said. “Anyone who is interested can get with me or one of the Main Street board members and we’ll get you on the list.”