After weeks of campaigning by 13 candidates, it was all over but the speeches. The councilmembers had been sworn in, the six incumbents had welcomed newly-elected Councilmember Colin Byrd to their ranks, the mayor (Emmett Jordan) and mayor pro tem (Judith Davis) had been elected and the standing room only crowd had been led in a cheer. Each of the members, in order of their vote count, then made statements and laid out their goals. There was also a brief recognition of retiring Councilmember Konrad Herling.
All of the candidates started with a series of statements of appreciation, mostly to some combination of parents, spouses, campaign staff, other candidates, supporters, city staff, city voters and the organizers of the four forums or meet-and-greets. After that, candidates generally highlighted their priorities and the issues council will be facing. Several councilmembers praised or thanked residents for passing both referendum questions, particularly that calling for permitting 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in city elections. This change will require council to pass legislation before it goes into effect.
Read about the councilmembers’ statements in the November 23 News Review.
