Reverend Michael Feely has been sworn in as the new Chattanooga District 6 City Council member, replacing Marti Rutherford who resigned following legal challenges of her residency.

Rev. Feely lives at 23 Asbury Drive. He says he has lived and voted in the District since 2000; is a graduate of the University of Georgia and Wesley Theological Seminary and is currently in the third year of an STM program at the School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee.

He is presently Executive Director of the St. Andrews Center and holds membership on several community Boards. He has completed Leadership Greeneville, Leadership Chattanooga, and the Chattanooga Resource Foundation Leadership Program. He speaks and teaches frequently at meetings and conferences on the subject of Mexico, Cuba and urban/Hispanic ministry.

Rev. Feely told the crowd he is honored. He will serve as interim council member until Rutherford's permanent replacement is chosen during an election scheduled for Feb. 5.

The six candidates running in the election include Carol Berz, Julie Chamberlain, Melinda Hickey, Rick Igou, Barbara Kelley and Charles Shaw.