Laurinburg's new councilwoman became official this week as she was sworn into office.

Davian LaJoyce “Joy” Ellison was sworn in to the seat vacated by Amanda Faulk Doerffel earlier this month.

Laurinburg City Council voted on Ellison's appointment last week, but decided to take a second vote on her appointment after accepting a sworn affidavit affirming her city residency.

"The affidavit was just to make it a matter of record that Ms. Ellison was a resident of the city for 30 days prior to assuming the seat, which is a requirement of the city charter," Mayor Matthew Block said. "That question had been raised and she signed an affidavit attesting to the fact that she had been a resident of the city for the 30 days. It had to be revoted on just for the technicality that the motion to appoint her to the seat was made before the seat was actually vacated."

The revote was a recommendation by City Attorney Charles Hicks because he said the city approved Ellison's appointment before accepting Doerffel's and he expressed concern about the legitimacy of the appointment.

Ellison's appointment was approved 4-0, with Mayor Pro Tempore Tommy Parker among those in favor of her appointment.

Parker was the lone dissenter when Ellison was appointed by a 4-1 vote.

He took issue with Ellison having a second residence, calling into question whether she spent more time at her parents home or the apartment she is renting less than a mile outside the city.

Several members of council took issue with the need for a second vote.

Councilman Ken Spencer pointed to the North Carolina General Statutes, telling fellow council members that, from his reading of state law, someone does not technically leave an elected office until their replacement has been appointed.

"A physical vacancy actually not required to qualify," he said.

Hicks shook his head and said "no" to Spencer's understanding of the law as the councilman was speaking.

The councilman continued.

"For the sake of brevity, and for continuity, I am more than willing to make that motion," Spencer said.

Councilman Curtis Leak noted that having a second vote without Doerffel on the council would eliminate an "aye" vote.

Block said he's looking forward to serving with Ellison.

"I think Ms. Ellison represents a new, young voice for the city of Laurinburg," he said. "She has been at nearly every city council meeting that I can remember, so she has certainly demonstrated a long-standing interest in the Laurinburg City Council and she has been politically active. She is a Laurinburg native who has come back home. She represents the caliber of person that is needed for Laurinburg to grow again."

Ellison will fill the unexpired term of Doerffel, who resigned her post on Tuesday as she is moving to Florida. That term ends next year.

Doerffel's husband, Scotland High School Band Director Mark Doerffel, accepted a job with the University of Florida and the pair are saying goodbye to Laurinburg as they move to the Sunshine State this summer.

The Doerffels are expected to spend the next three years in Gainesville, Fla. as Mark Doerffel earns his doctoral degree in music education and works as a graduate teaching assistant for the Florida state school, which is among the 10 largest public universities in the nation.