The man who challenged Anne Stedman for the mayor’s seat in the city of Newton will get to serve on the city council after all.
Four of the five council members voted Tuesday night for Wes Weaver to serve out Stedman’s vacated seat. The council had to nominate and vote for someone to fill the seat after Stedman won the mayoral race that pitted her against Weaver.
Stedman’s council seat expires in 2013.
Judge Robert Mullinax Jr., the son of outgoing Newton Mayor Bob Mullinax, gave the oath of office to Weaver. Mullinax also issued the oath to Stedman and returning council members Tom Rowe, Mary Bess Lawing and Wayne Dellinger.
The council also voted 3-2 for council member Bill Lutz to serve as mayor pro tem, which was the position Stedman held until Tuesday night.
As she took the mayor’s seat, Stedman paid homage to the former mayor Mullinax.
“I know Bob Mullinax didn’t want any accolades but he certainly deserves it,” Stedman said. She went on to list the things the board accomplished under his leadership, including a recently approved capital improvement plan and creating 1,000 jobs. Mullinax, who conducted the meeting until Stedman was sworn in, has served as mayor of Newton since 2007. Before becoming mayor, he served four years as a council member, two of which were as mayor pro tem.
Stedman went on to thank those who voted for her but voiced her disappointment that more people didn’t turn out to vote. Local elections directly affect people’s lives than any other election, she said.
When Weaver took his seat, Stedman welcomed him to the council. Weaver replied, “It’s an honor and a privilege.”
Weaver, 44, said after the council meeting that there were probably a lot of well-qualified names to fill Stedman’s vacated seat but he wanted his name to be at the top of the list. So before Tuesday’s meeting, Weaver called several council members and made his case about why he should be appointed.
However, he was surprised when it actually happened, saying he was really at a loss for words. He said a lot of people who voted for him got their voice heard Tuesday night with his appointment.
In other business, the council:
- Approved a financing agreement for multiple capital improvements, including a high pressure vacuum truck, bucket truck and a bid consideration to replace water and sewer lines. The financing agreement for property and infrastructure is with BB&T for not more than $3.79 million at no more than 3.11 percent interest for 15 years.
The financing agreement for equipment and renovations is for $1.87 million at 1.91 percent for seven years. Serina Hinson, the city’s finance director, told the council that instead of the combined borrowing cap of $5.6 million, the city will likely only have to borrow around $4.8 million because costs of some of the equipment and projects have come in substantially lower than originally planned.
The projects all depend on the Local Government Commission approving the financing agreement, Hinson said. “As soon as the LGC approves financing, we’re ready to move on this,” Hinson said.
The North Carolina Local Government Commission is part of the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement