by David Chapman
Staff Writer
There was no flair or flash. No pomp. And no fireworks – yet, at least – within Council Chambers Wednesday during the annual Council installation of officers ceremony, where Council President Richard Clark and Council Vice President Jack Webb were installed to their 2009-10 posts before a large crowd of elected officials both past and present, City officials, family members and constituents.
The ceremony took place in the same location where Council members will tackle many of the issues in the year ahead and though the mood was all business, there was still time for some celebration and recognition.
Before Clark and Webb were sworn in it was outgoing President Ronnie Fussell who would take center stage with his closing remarks thanking his fellow Council members for the past year of honesty and respect in their efforts in dealing with the many issues and people who came before the Council – but the work isn’t over.
“We’ve got a lot of issues before us this year,” he said, looking ahead.
Fussell also continued the installation ceremony tradition of presenting two awards: the Charles D. Webb Award, given to a City Council member for outstanding service during the last year and the Robert O. Johnson Good Government Award, presented annually to a City worker who exemplifies honesty and integrity in service to the City government.
The Webb award was presented to Council member Art Graham, who chaired the Land Use and Zoning Committee along with being a board member of several area organizations.
“This is a very difficult job. Sometimes you have to make hard decisions,” said Graham upon receiving the award and calling it an honor.
Lin White, legislative liaison to the City’s Public Works department, received the Robert O. Johnson award, named after the City’s first and longtime City auditor. When it was time to decide on whom to present the award to, Fussell went to each of the Council’s executive assistants and asked them for suggestions. White’s name was a consistent response.
Fussell had one last surprise for the audience, and in his last act as president presented a new award with the hope it would become an annual fixture.
The Starr Bishop Award, given for unsung community service by an individual or organization, was presented posthumously to Starr Bishop, daughter of Council member Bill Bishop and his wife Melody, for her passion and devotion for the community.
“She made such an impact in such a short amount of time,” said an emotional Fussell.
The Bishops accepted the award and were both honored and surprised.
“If it can inspire others to have that same passion and devotion to their community that she had, then it will be well worth it,” said Bill Bishop.
Fussell then ceded the stage to Clark and Webb, who were sworn in to their offices by Fourth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Donald Moran, followed by comments and predictions on what the year ahead could hold.
Webb stressed the importance of looking at scrutinizing the budget in a way to eliminate redundancy, while Clark spoke of the need for government to listen to the people and become more engaged to restore public trust while making decisions on tough issues in the future.
“Now is one of those times where we have to pull together,” said Clark.
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