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Politics & Government

Newly Elected and Returning Council Members Take Oaths in New Baltimore

Following the Nov. 8 general election, New Baltimore swears in elected council members Monday night at the regularly scheduled city council meeting.

New Baltimore City Council meeting Monday--the first one held since the Nov. 8 general election--featured two new faces.

Officials sworn in

Karl Rutledge, a member of the city planning committee, was sworn in for a two-year position on the council and Zack Stanton, who had the most votes from the election, was sworn in for a four-year position on the council.

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Kenneth Butler II and Florence Hayman were both re-elected and sworn back into their positions as well, as was Mayor Larry Smith who ran unopposed. After the new council was seated, the first order was to elect a new mayor pro-tem.

Butler, who is the former mayor Pro tem, motioned to elect Hayman to the position. Burkhardt supported the motion, which led to Hayman's appointment  as Pro tem. Councilman Jeffrey Christie cast the sole vote against that decision.

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In his first closing statements on council, Stanton said, "I want to thank everyone who supported me and those who didn't, because you still went out and voted. I'm excited to be working up here."

Rutledge said, "Without the other candidates and without the voters, we wouldn't see any change. I'm looking forward to do my job."

Community event helps Haiti

During the opening public comments, North Shore Pastor Chris Steinle thanked the council for their support and help in the Nov. 6 Fall Back Fun Run & Walk put on by the North Shore Church. The event had 128 participants and raised money to purchase 26 water filters for Haiti. The filters will provide up to 260 people in Haiti with clean water. Steinle has made eight trips to the country so far.

Other orders of business

The following items were approved by the council at the meeting:

  • A pancake breakfast at the New Baltimore Fire Station hosted by the Anchor Bay Community Giving Tree, from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 4.
  • The Lions Club's annual Candy Cane Drive, to be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17 at various local street corners and businesses.
  • A new mower for the Department of Public Services. The Exmark Lazer 60-inch zero-turn mower, along with a mulching kit, will cost the city $9,798 and will replace the now 14-year-old mower currently being used.

Farewell to departing council members

As new council members took their seats, one person had to step down. David Duffy started the meeting at his usual seat but sat in the audience shortly after the new candidates were sworn in.

"I want to thank Mr. Duffy for his years up here," said Butler. Similar sentiments were shared by the council.

"Great, now I have to sit in the cheap seats," joked Duffy as he sat with the audience. Duffy served for eight years on the council.

At the last meeting John Dupray, who had committed to temporarily filling in on council, was thanked for his service. Dupray said he was grateful for the experience and eager to return to his volunteer work in the community.

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