APEX - While the makeup of the Apex Town Council will remain the same - all-male and predominately Republican - there will be some changes.

The most obvious is the addition of Scott Lassiter, who was sworn in Tuesday. At 24, he is the youngest councilman in the town's recent history. He steps in for former Councilman Bryan Gossage, who unsuccessfully ran against incumbent Mayor Keith Weatherly.

Lassiter, Weatherly and Councilman Bill Jensen all took the oath of office before a meeting rife with political subtleties.

As Lassiter took the vow, he did so with a misdemeanor charge of driving while impaired pending in Wake County court.

Councilman Gene Schulze, who financially supported Weatherly's mayoral campaign, was unanimously selected mayor pro tem.

Councilman Lance Olive, who supported Gossage in his mayoral bid, was removed from every council committee.

Political appointments

Weatherly began his sixth term in office by appointing committees, thereby edging out Olive, who Weatherly said betrayed his trust by supporting Gossage for mayor. Weatherly said Olive also voted to oust longtime councilman Mike Jones as mayor pro tem two years ago. Olive supported Gossage for the position.

"He just worked real hard for my opponent," Weatherly said about Olive. "It speaks to trust."

Olive was removed from the personnel and planning committees but will serve as liaison for the Triangle J Council of Governments.

Olive said the committee appointments were within the duties of the mayor.

"If politics is where you lose your freedom to make your choice, than that is a difficult thing," he said.

Schulze and Rowe were appointed to the personnel committee. Olive said he expected Schulze and Rowe would do a good job.

"For me, I really enjoyed being on the personnel committee and having a say in making sure we have a good system in place for performance review," Olive said.

Those with the mayor's support fared well in the appointments. Schulze gave $250 and about $30 in-kind contributions for Weatherly's campaign. In addition to being voted mayor pro tem, Schulze was appointed as the chair for the finance committee and will serve on the personnel committee. He will remain as the liaison to the police and fire advisory board.

Schulze said he didn't believe his endorsement of Weatherly had anything to do with his selection as mayor pro tem.

"I think it's because I do a good job and I work hard," he said. "I think I've proven myself and I know the issues that affect Apex."

Schulze has served for 10 years and is in the middle of his third term.

Busy newcomer

Although Lassiter is a newcomer, Weatherly verbally supported him during his campaign. Weatherly is continuing that support in the committee appointments. Lassiter was named chair to the planning committee and member of the personnel committee. He will also serve as liaison to the parks and recreation advisory group.

"He's a young guy, he'll bring new insight," Weatherly said about Lassiter. "The other thing he brings to the table is he's a lifelong resident."

Weatherly said he knew before election day that Lassiter was charged with DWI.

"He hasn't been convicted if anything," Weatherly said.

Lassiter has denied being intoxicated. He has hired attorney James Crouch to represent him.

His trial date was continued until Jan. 11 in Wake County.

In the meantime, Lassiter is looking ahead to his duties as a councilman. As a member of the planning committee he said he's excited about helping to manage growth with projects such as Veridea, a 1,000-acre mixed-used development.

For his first year on the council, Lassiter doesn't plan any big changes.

"The general consensus is that citizens are happy," he said. "The election results speak to that."

Farewell to Gossage

Another change the council had to face Tuesday, was the departure of Gossage from the dais. He was given a plaque for his eight years of service as a councilman, including two as mayor pro tem.

"What I'm going to miss is being able to help residents resolve issues with the town," he said. "It's definitely a highlight of the job. To me, that's the heart of public service."

Gossage said he's proudest of his efforts to work to get a standardized merit-pay system in place for town employees, the new children's playground at Jaycee Park and getting wireless Internet service in town.

Gossage said he isn't ruling out running for public office again.

"I'm focusing on my business and giving my family extra attention," he said.