The Town of Prentiss is under new leadership as Tony Waits took the helm Tuesday morning as the new mayor.

Waits took the oath of office June 27 in front of friends, family and community members.

Also taking the oath were three new aldermen, Rhonda Bayles, Holley Cochran and Becky Williamson, along with Willie Davis and Moochie Speights. Davis began his eighth term Tuesday and Speights his third term.

Fifteenth Circuit Judge Prentiss Harrell administered the oaths.

“I am humbled and thankful for the opportunity to serve the people of Prentiss as mayor,” said Tony Waits.

Waits was born and raised in Sumrall where he started and finished school there.

“When I came to Prentiss in 1990, I was an outsider, and when you’re not from a small town, people can choose to make you family or not accept you as their own,” said Waits.

“I was so blessed and thankful that the people of Prentiss welcomed me and made me a part of their family,” he said.

Waits served Prentiss and Jefferson Davis County as a pharmacist and co-owner of Hudson Drugs in Prentiss and Bassfield for 32 years.

“Prentiss is my home and your home and I look forward to us all working together to make Prentiss the best that it can be,” said Waits. “I ask for your help, your prayers and your support,” he said.

Waits is married to Tracy Stamps Waits and is a member of Prentiss Methodist Church.

“Prentiss couldn’t ask for a better mayor than Tony Waits,” said former mayor Charley Dumas.

“I’m glad he’s assuming the mantle and am looking forward to his leadership in our community,” he said.

Mayor Angie Ladner and the Bassfield Board of Aldermen were sworn in Monday night by District 2 Supervisor Ricky Barrett.

“I am honored and thankful to serve my second term as mayor of Bassfield,” said Angie Ladner.

‘I got in here to make a difference and I have done just that over the last four years,” she said.

New to the Bassfield Board of Aldermen is Will Daley. Those re-elected were Lisa Blount, Will Hendry, Ken Roberts and James Speck.

“If I had to label myself, I would be called a people’s mayor because I care what my community has to say and I am their voice,” said Ladner.

“I will continue to support the efforts of the county and strengthening my relationships and I am looking forward to another great and prosperous term,” she said.

Both boards held the first meeting of the new term Tuesday night.