News

New council takes office

BY CRAIG STONE

PHOTOS BY ESPERANZA LOAIZA AND JULIE WIATT

The three newly elected members of the Takoma Park City Council were sworn in on November 17 at City Hall, in a ceremony that included expressions of appreciation for the council’s outgoing members.

After a final session with the councilmembers elected in 2001, Heather Mizeur of Ward 2, Terry Seamens of Ward 4, and Doug Barry of Ward 6 joined the council after they were sworn in by Mayor Kathy Porter.

Porter opened the ceremony by offering thanks to the leaving members of the council, beginning with Share Maack of Ward 6. Maack served on the Council for four years and did not run for re-election.

"I want to say thank you to Share Maack...who has been a wonderful advocate for her constituents," Porter said. "She has been a tireless advocate for Ward 6 and has spoken up for Ward 6 interests at every turn."

Although outgoing Ward 4 councilmember Roland Dawes did not attend the ceremony, the mayor thanked him for his distinctive service in representing Ward 4 over the past two years.

"There was probably one characteristic and one particular gift [Dawes] brought to the council that people may not be so aware of," Porter said. "Roland Dawes made it his mission...to educate those of us on the council about the lives of African-Americans in Takoma Park."

Finally, Porter thanked Ward 2’s Carol Stewart, who decided to step down after six years as a councilmember.

"She has always...put in a lot of work and a lot of effort for her constituents, and has carefully followed the issues of Ward 2. She has been very clear about what her constituents wanted, and represented that very well to the council," Porter said of Stewart. "The thing I think that comes across about Carol most clearly is how much she just cares about people."

Stewart then gave her final comments as a councilmember, starting off by saying that it was a "bittersweet moment." She thanked the residents of Ward 2 for their support, and said that serving them had been a joy and a challenge.

"The past six years have been years of forging new friendships and working relationships with the staff and the council," Stewart said. "They have been both productive and rewarding for me."

Stewart also commended the city staff for their work during her tenure.

"As [City Manager] Rick Finn and all of his staff did what needed to be done to solve the problems, I got the credit," she said. "Now that’s a good job!"

She concluded by saying that she had no problem leaving the position "in the extremely competent and energetic hands of Heather Mizeur."

Maack then gave her final statements as the representative for Ward 6. She said that she appreciated the camaraderie at the council and though her clearer vision of Takoma Park’s priorities made it difficult to step down, she believes in fresh, new leadership.

"I have never had any doubts about the fact that all of us are on the same page in terms of wanting the best for the city of Takoma Park," she said. "I strongly feel that with the right city manager, those of us who care about the city can achieve our dreams and visions of what the city can be."

Maack thanked the residents in Ward 6 as well as the city staff members for their support, and closed by urging the new city council to work on a five-year economic development plan, something she has suggested throughout her term.

After the outgoing council adjourned, Porter was sworn in for her fourth mayoral term by Loretta Knight, deputy clerk of the Montgomery County Circuit Court. Porter then administered the Oath of Office to the new council.

As the first order of business, Porter appointed Ward 3 Councilmember Bruce Williams as the mayor pro tempore. Williams is now in his sixth term representing Ward 3.