by David Chapman
Staff Writer
New City Council President Stephen Joost asked for “shared sacrifice’ for the betterment of future generations as he and his fellow Council members were sworn into office Thursday.
During his initial speech, Joost called for cutting amenities and preserving human capital to generate growth while also talking at length of the importance of education.
“We will not balance this budget on the backs of our children,” he said.
With newly elected Mayor Alvin Brown in the audience, Joost also discussed the need for innovation in finding budget savings and additional revenues. He introduced the audience to two people, one who converts vegetable oil to diesel fuel, resulting in lower fuel costs, and another who is the former adviser to the volunteer ticket-writing “Parking Posse,” which added revenue to the City.
Joost advocated dedicating resources to the port and said he wanted to find money to fix Mile Point by the end of the year.
Joost was sworn in by County Judge Russell Healey.
Council Vice President Bill Bishop, sworn in by Circuit Judge Virginia Norton, also gave his first remarks in the new role. He said despite budgetary struggles, he remained optimistic.
He said the City and citizens would persevere through the adversity as generations before have in difficult times.
The ceremony was held at the Times-Union Center. The Council as a whole was sworn in by County Judge Tyrie Boyer, whose wife, Lori Boyer, was elected to the District 5 seat.
Seven members of the 19-member Council were on the stage for the first time.
The new Council members were Boyer, Matt Schellenberg, Bill Gulliford, Jim Love, Kim Daniels, Greg Anderson and Robin Lumb. The remaining were re-elected to second terms, while Doyle Carter had already been sworn in to the District 12 seat.
Also, U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan swore in his cousin, Duval County Tax Collector Michael Corrigan, a former Council member.
Outgoing President Jack Webb gave his final remarks, calling the past year “the most challenging yet fulfilling” of his life.
As outgoing president, he also presented three awards, including the Charles D. Webb award presented to a Council member for exemplary service.
Webb presented it to his “big brother,” outgoing Council member Ronnie Fussell.
Fussell, a Council member for six years, said he was honored before offering his own departing words for his colleagues.
“As you all are swearing in, I’m swearing out and hopefully no one will swear at you,” he said.
As the new Council takes office today, so does Brown, who will take the oath of office this morning at the Osborn Center.
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