New council members take seats
Published 8:23 pm Monday, January 5, 2015
Leroy Bennett takes the oath of office from Clerk of Court Randy Carter with his wife, Suzy, holding the Bible at city hall on Monday. He was later chosen vice mayor.
City Council members new and old pledged to keep improving the city after an investiture ceremony on Monday afternoon at city hall.
Leroy Bennett, Mike Duman, Don Goldberg and Tim Johnson took the oath of office during the ceremony. Duman was re-elected in November, and Bennett returns to the council after a two-year hiatus, although representing a different borough than the one he was drawn out of during a redistricting in 2012. Goldberg and Johnson join the body for the first time.
Councilman Mike Duman, who was re-elected to his second four-year term in November, takes the oath of office from Clerk of Court Randy Carter on Monday at city hall. His wife, Fran Duman, holds the Bible.
Bennett was the unanimous choice for vice mayor during a re-organizational meeting after the investiture, marked by a bit of humor as Mayor Linda T. Johnson and Tim Johnson both responded when the city clerk called for Councilman Johnson to cast his vote.
Bennett received a standing ovation from a packed chambers as he took his seat beside the mayor.
“I’m looking forward to being a servant to the people of Suffolk,” Bennett said in his remarks during the meeting. “It’s not just about the Cypress Borough; it’s about the people of Suffolk. With the bond rating we have, I know we will continue to improve that and improve other things in the city.”
Councilman Don Goldberg, who is joining the City Council for the first time, takes the oath of office from Clerk of Court Randy Carter on Monday at city hall.
Goldberg thanked his supporters and family.
“Without your help, I would not be standing here today,” he said. To the citizens, he added, “I promise to keep my commitment to you. I am humbled in being elected to your City Council.”
Johnson said he views his new position as “a tremendous responsibility.”
“I work for each one of you,” he said. “I really view this as an opportunity and a challenge and an honor.”
Duman pledged to continue recent accomplishments.
“We must use them as a platform to build upon,” he said.
In her remarks during the ceremony, the mayor said the council would continue progressing.
“We will continue the cooperative spirit of getting things done with our School Board,” she said. “We will continue the well planned economic development we’ve experienced the past several years. Those taking an oath today can be very proud of our national financial status. I ask our new council members to stand with us … because we cannot do it alone.”
Councilman Tim Johnson, who is joining the City Council for the first time, takes the oath of office from Clerk of Court Randy Carter on Monday at city hall.
“We will not always agree; that never happens,” the mayor continued. “It’s about coming up with the right resolution that moves our entire city forward.”
