by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
After only six months into his first term on the City Council, Kevin Hyde announced this week his intentions to run for vice president for the next Council year. It appears his wishes will come true as a majority of his fellow Coujncil members appear to agree.
In a letter to the Council, Tuesday, Hyde wrote, “I would like to be your next vice president for the following reasons. First, I will support your President and help her accomplish her goals for a successful year. Second, I believe that I am fair and able to bring people together to create a good working environment for the City Council. Third, I am willing to work hard to tackle the difficult issues our city faces.”
If victorious, Hyde would likely serve under incumbent vice president Elaine Brown, who has not yet make any endorsement. Brown is running for president and no opposition has popped up.
“I think he would make a great vice president,” said Brown. “He has said he would like to meet with me to talk about it and I look forward to it.”
Further cementing Hyde’s decision to run was the encouragement from Council member Lynette Self, who had considered running.
“I believe that Councilman Hyde has exhibited great leadership skills during his short tenure on the Council,” said Self. “Kevin’s ability to build consensus and weigh all the facts on every issue qualifies him as an excellent candidate for Council leadership.”
Following the announcement, Hyde asked the Council to sign a pledge of support or to schedule a noticed meeting to “discuss [his] candidacy.”
Ten Council members, including Art Shad, Suzanne Jenkins and Mia Jones, required no further discussion on the matter and agreed to support Hyde.
“I’ve been amazingly impressed with Kevin from what I’ve seen of his leadership abilities,” said Shad of his endorsement. “The Council is full of great leaders, but I think he has the potential to serve as a unifying force that the Council, maybe, didn’t have before. He’s a natural fit and I look forward to working with him in more of a leadership role.”
Jenkins, serving in her second term on the Council, concurred.
“When I thought about who could best bring us all together, I knew he was the guy,” she said. “I think he can best help us get rid of the old baggage we were carrying from the old Council.”
And though not refusing an endorsement, others on the Council, including Glorious Johnson and Jerry Holland, have chosen to wait before throwing their support behind anyone.
“No, I haven’t decided yet,” said Holland, “but I have told him that I would like to meet with him to talk about it like I would anyone else. I want to get a better idea of what his goals and intentions are.”
Johnson, however, said Hyde would make a “fine leader” but would have preferred to see a returning Council member run.
“I would really like to see someone from the older group come forward before they leave office,” said Johnson, who cited Council member Lake Ray — a rumored candidate — as a potential selection. “[The newer Council members] will all be here for a while and we’re still learning.”
Ray was unavailable for comment.