FERRIDAY, La. – Glen McGlothin arrived at Town Hall at 7:30 a.m. Monday, getting there bright and early to read the paper and relax a moment before the office’s doors opened.

But he didn’t have a free moment for the rest of the day, and he expects the rest of this week to be much the same.

&uot;I’m busier than a one-legged man,&uot;&160;said McGlothin, who was mayor from 1988 to 1996 and was sworn in again Saturday.

McGlothin’s first priority on his first day back in office was to meet with department directors to explain what he expects from them.

In a meeting held Monday with new Police Chief Bobby Sheppard, McGlothin discussed equipment the department needs as well as the need to enforce existing ordinances dealing with such problems as noise, open containers, loitering and indecent exposure.

He also met with Fire Chief Joe Sontoyo and Street Superintendent Antonne Duncan to see what new equipment and repairs their departments need. Money is already contained in the town’s 2000-01 budget, which will be approved July 11, to repair equipment.

&uot;Maybe some of the money set aside for repairs can be used to buy new equipment,&uot;&160;McGlothin said. &uot;If you’re putting money into repairing equipment year after year, … sometimes it’s best to go ahead and replace it.

&uot;I&160;just need to meet with (town accountant) Myles Hopkins to see what we can afford.&uot;

The directors will now compose prioritized lists of public works projects that need to be tackled as soon as possible.

And McGlothin plans to meet with directors again this week – some of those meetings were held Monday – to see what personnel changes they would like to make in their departments.

&uot;There may be four or five (town employees)&160;we need to let go&uot; due to such factors as absenteeism, McGlothin said.

He plans to hold a meeting with Ferriday’s 50-plus town employees Friday.

McGlothin also met with Administrative Assistant Alex Promise to discuss applying to such groups as the Rapides Foundation for recreation grants.

&uot;And we (town officials) plan on forming our own recreation board to work with the existing Recreation Board,&uot; he said.

In between several such meetings with town officials and directors, McGlothin greeted several well-wishers at Town Hall and in his rounds around town.

While not getting carried away — &uot;you can get the big head and think you’re the best thing since sliced white bread&uot;&160;– McGlothin also intends to savor the feeling of being back in office.

&uot;I’ll enjoy the euphoria … until it begins to wear off,&uot;&160;he said.