The 43rd City Council looks a lot like the 42nd City Council with a couple of big changes. At the November 5 election, incumbents Colin Byrd, Emmett Jordan, Judith Davis, Rodney Roberts, Leta Mach, Silke Pope and Edward Putens were all reelected to the council, with vote totals in that order, followed by candidate Bill Orleans. Following tradition, council elected Byrd mayor and Jordan mayor pro tem, giving Greenbelt a new mayor and a new mayor pro tem.
All the candidates gathered at the Special Charter Meeting at which they would be sworn in on Monday, November 11, in the council room. The audience for this event is always substantial, but this year, having a new mayor attracted more than the usual number of observers and elected officials from other jurisdictions.
Byrd’s first term as mayor will be only his second term on the council. Jordan is now in his sixth term on council. He was first elected in 2009 and served two terms as mayor pro tem before being elected for three terms as mayor starting in 2013.
With the 2019 election, Davis has begun her 14th term on the council. She served eight terms as mayor, starting in 1997, followed by three terms as mayor pro tem beginning in 2013.
The election results move from being unofficial to official upon their presentation and certification to the council by City Clerk Bonita Anderson. Then begins the process of swearing in the new council, after which the new council elects the mayor and mayor pro tem. This long-standing process is somewhat reminiscent of calling a square dance and immediately makes it obvious why the old council needed to convene in an organizational meeting prior to the formal meeting.
Oath of Office
First, the outgoing mayor (Jordan) administered the oath of office to the six other newly elected councilmembers followed by a great deal of applause and whooping from the audience.
Jordan announced that the next step – and first action of the new council – would be to elect a temporary chair of the meeting to navigate until the city once again had a sworn-in mayor and mayor pro tem. Putens nominated Davis, who was promptly elected chair and asked for nominations for mayor. Roberts nominated Byrd who, with a second from Putens, was quickly elected, with even more applause and whooping from the audience. LaShawn Freeman, a sworn deputy of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, then administered the oath of office to Byrd, who in turn nominated Jordan to serve as mayor pro tem. Davis seconded that motion, and Byrd administered the oath of office to Jordan.
With everyone now duly elected and sworn in, it was time for comments from the new council. Most thanked the voters for their support and their treasurers and campaign workers, as well as City Clerk Bonita Anderson and the Board of Elections, for their work. Councilmembers also expressed their thoughts on the election and some enumerated their own goals and priorities for the next two years.
Putens thanked everyone and stressed that the upcoming two years would be a busy time for the city and council.
Mach commented on how much she enjoys door knocking and talking with residents about their concerns in the course of the campaign. She also thanked the Greenbelt News Review for providing a forum for the election.
Pope remarked on the large crowd that had turned out and said she too thrives on having opportunities for personal contact with residents. She encouraged people to contact her or stop to talk in the Co-op to share any ideas or concerns.
Roberts thanked Orleans for putting himself on the line once again and gave a special thanks to his mother for her support. Regarding council, he said, “We all work for what is best for the city.” He said among his goals was trying to improve recreation opportunities in Greenbelt West.
Davis commented on there being more celebrities and elected officials present at the swearing-in than usual. She said she ran for office again because there is still a great deal to accomplish. Some of her goals for the next term include placing public art throughout the city, acquiring more electric charging stations, renovating the dog park, increasing replacement of street trees, maintaining Greenbelt’s historic cemeteries and working toward a complete count for the city in the upcoming census.
Jordan said a special word of thanks to the staff of the city manager’s office. He noted this would be his second tour of duty as mayor pro tem and said among his priorities were the efficient distribution of city resources, continued focus on local economic development and affordable housing.
Byrd expressed thanks to Jordan and Davis for their graciousness in welcoming him to his new position. Regarding his age, he said he intends to be the mayor for young, old and in-between. He also wants to improve council meetings, making meetings shorter and more efficient while at the same time always allowing residents to speak and be heard. He believes this can be accomplished by insisting on brevity and order.
In conclusion, Byrd introduced his parents and grandmother. He also read a reflection on his family history and the stories about and his memories of those who came before him.
Elected officials attending the meeting included: State Delegates Alonzo Washington, Wanika Fisher, Julian Ivey and Nicole Williams, State Comptroller Peter Franchot, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, County Councilmembers Jolene Ivey and Calvin Hawkins, City Councilmembers Lincoln Lashley (New Carrollton), Shireka McCarthy (Seat Pleasant), Mayor Shawn Maldon and Councilmember Faith Ford (Capitol Heights), Vice-Mayor Jonathan Medlock (District Heights), former Councilmembers Konrad Herling and Robert Zugby (Greenbelt), Ray Sexton (Cheverly), and District 8 School Board Representative Edward Burrows, III.