Farley Returns to Position on Hamilton City Council

What’s old is new, or maybe history is repeating itself.

During the Hamilton City Council meeting held Monday, June 8, Hamilton resident Ransom Farley was appointed to fill the vacant council seat. The seat became vacant with the recent resignation of former council member William Fields.

Farley has a lengthy history of being involved on the Hamilton City Council. He was elected to the council in 2015 when he ran for and won a seat. Four years later, in 2019, he sought re-election and won again.

The city experienced some tumultuous times late in 2021, with former city attorney Ron Iddins resigning from that position. So did Buddy Walker, who had been serving as Assistant to the Mayor. At that time, Julie Brown was serving as Mayor of Hamilton. Farley also tendered his resignation from the council but was convinced to rescind that resignation and remained in the seat.

Less than a year later, in 2022, Brown resigned citing family issues. Farley, who had been serving as Mayor Pro-Tem at the time, suddenly became mayor and served in that position for the remainder of Brown’s term. Council member Patrick Whearley became Mayor Pro-Tem.

Some Hamilton residents expected that Farley would qualify to run for the Mayor’s seat in August 2023, but he decided not to seek the position. Instead, Whearley qualified and would capture the seat. Farley’s tenure on the council ended Dec. 31, 2023.

Until now.

City Manager Rhett Wade said that Farley will remain on the council until a special election can be held later this year, likely concurrent with the General Election to be held in November.