The city of Ashland has a new finance director, although the position is not new to him.

Larry Paxton was appointed Tuesday night by Ashland Mayor Glen Stewart to serve the remainder of former finance director Anna Tomasek Musson's term which expires Dec. 31, 2011.

City council then unanimously approved his appointment. Paxton served as the city of Shelby's finance director for 11 years. He had worked for seven months as Musson's assistant but after taking out a petition to run against her in 2007, he was reassigned to the city engineer's office.

Former Ashland Mayor Bill Strine has been serving as acting finance director since June, after being appointed by Mayor Stewart.