Suffolk News-Herald

Eighteen years ago on July 1, S. Chris Jones, the city’s youngest – and only sneaker-wearing – councilman, was sworn in for his first term on the City Council.

During Thursday’s City Council investiture, the current House of Delegates’ representative challenged council members to keep in touch with their constituents.

Jones, a Republican, is credited with creating the state-spending plan that broke the General Assembly’s budget stalemate this spring.

&uot;As you deliberate and discuss, listen to your constituents and be ever mindful of your responsibilities to those who elected you,&uot; Jones said.

&uot;This is not a popularity contest,&uot; he continued. &uot;It is a time of service…to keep an eye on what is in the best interest of the city as a whole.&uot;

A Chuckatuck native, Jones said Suffolk has evolved into a vibrant city since its 1974 merger with Nansemond County.

&uot;We are one of the fastest growing communities in the Commonwealth,&uot; Jones said. &uot;Suffolk is a wonderful place to live and work.

&uot;A lot of people have found their slice of the American dream in Suffolk.&uot;

Today’s success is because of the solid foundation laid by previous city and county leaders, including former mayors Jim Hope, Andy Damiani and Dr. George Barnett, Jones added.