Pinehurst has a new mayor, but it's a familiar face to the village.

The Village Council voted unanimously Thursday during a special meeting to appoint Virginia "Ginsey" Fallon as mayor. Fallon has been a council member since 1993 and was serving as mayor pro tem. She also served as mayor from 1997 to 1999.

Fallon replaces George Lane, who died Feb. 23.

The meeting lasted less than a half-hour. Each council member briefly spoke about what he or she considered to be the most important issues facing the village. Councilwoman Nancy Roy Fiorillo then nominated Fallon.

Fallon expressed her interest in continuing the work that Lane started.

"I think we have to continue and try and carry out the things that George started," she said. "He loved Pinehurst. He wanted only the best, and that's what I want. And I would like to see that we continue on with a very positive council, a very cooperative council, and a council that will work very nicely with the county commissioners."

The council agreed that some of the most pressing issues facing the village included the implementation of an updated comprehensive long-range plan, water, downtown revitalization, carrying out the annexation of Pinewild Country Club and maintaining good relations with the county and surrounding municipalities.

Councilman Doug Lapins had expressed interest in becoming mayor but formally withdrew his interest at the meeting, adding that he was concerned that it could create an impasse.

"Gridlock may work in Washington, but I don't think it works well in Pinehurst," he said. "I don't think we need controversy at this time."

Because the mayor's seat is separate from the council, Fallon had to resign her council seat before taking the oath of office as mayor.

"I thank you for your support," she said after taking the oath. "I'm really grateful."

The council then unanimously appointed Councilwoman Joan Thurman as the new mayor pro tem.

The council is expected to appoint someone to fill Fallon's old seat in the next two weeks, before Thurman departs on a vacation.

Contact John Krahnert III at (910) 693-2473 or by e-mail at jkrahnert@thepilot.com.