Gainesville City Council approved Tuesday appointing former Gainesville High School Principal Curtis Segars to fill the last four months of former Mayor Danny Dunagan’s term as representative for Ward 1.

Dunagan resigned from the council at the end of August to run for the new elected mayor position. Previously the mayor was elected by the council from among its members and rotated every two years. This year, the mayor position will not also represent a ward and will be in addition to the five council members.

Councilwoman Myrtle Figueras recommended Segars, 80, and other council members eagerly endorsed the appointment. Councilwoman Ruth Bruner seconded the motion to appoint him, and Mayor Bob Hamrick called it a “very good nomination.”

“I just think that in whatever Mr. Segars has done in his life, he has done it in a very dedicated and very diligent manner,” Councilman George Wangemann said. “I also concur that he is a very good nominee.”

Figueras said Segars has governmental experience and has served almost all the children of Gainesville.

Segars has agreed to serve if the council approved him, Figueras said. He is expected to be sworn in at the next council work session. He is a resident of Ward 1.

Current Gainesville High Principal LaCrisia Larkin said his experience as a school principal will likely come into play.

“It’s wonderful because he has given so much of his life to the community,” she said. “It’s only fitting that he serve out these four months in the place of Mayor Dunagan.”

Merrianne Dyer, superintendent of Gainesville City Schools, said he will do a wonderful job.

“I don’t know anyone (else) who has the experience, the wisdom, the perspective and just plain good common sense than Curtis Segars,” Dyer said.

Segars was principal of Gainesville High School from 1968 to 1986, when he retired. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.