More Photos
Click thumbnails to enlarge
Joe Bail, left, is sworn in as the new police chief in Chester by new Mayor John Linder, right.
CHESTER ? Sitting in her plush council seat inside a packed council chambers, Elizabeth Williams recounted her experiences as a student of John Linder?s at Delaware County Community College.
Williams distinctively remembered a discussion she had with Linder one day after psychology class.
?I said, ?You know what? You need to come and join us; you need to get into politics, as well,?? said Williams, a longtime activist. ?He said, ?I don?t have time for that. I?ve got to teach.??
As she told the story, Williams glanced toward Chester?s newest mayor and said, ?Thank you, John. You?re here today.?
Linder was sworn in Tuesday as Chester?s first Democratic mayor since Barbara Bohannan-Shepard held the position in the mid-1990s. A festive atmosphere permeated city hall as the Democrats formally gained control of the city for just the second time since 1905.
Williams and Nafis Nichols were sworn in as council members and Edith Blackwell as controller. At the reorganization meeting that followed the ceremony, council appointed William A. Jacobs to fill the seat left vacant by Linder?s election to mayor. He was sworn in immediately.
Residents crammed into the council chambers to watch the Democrats take their oaths. Those who didn?t arrive in time to grab a seat lined the walls. Others watched a live feed of the events from downstairs in the community room.
Linder replaced Republican Wendell N. Butler Jr., who served as mayor for the previous 10 years. Republicans firmly have controlled city politics for most of the city?s history.
Linder said he was proud to represent the entire city and, with the election over, not concerned with party affiliation. He said City Hall will be filled with people working to better the city. Continued...
?Family is what drives me and Chester is my family,? Linder said. ?The entire city is my family. I just want to say thank you to each and every one of you.
?We want to do our best to make Chester a place where kids can go to school to learn and get a quality education, (a place) where people can ? feel safe to come here and open up a business and prosper and thrive.?
Linder announced that he had retired as a professor at Delaware County Community College to focus his efforts on his new job.
The departments that each council member will oversee were determined during the reorganization meeting.
Linder will serve as director of public affairs, Nichols as director of accounts and finance, Jacobs as director of public safety and Williams as the director of parks and public property. Councilwoman Portia West, two years into her term, will remain the director of streets and public improvements.
Nichols also was appointed as deputy mayor. Though not yet officially appointed, Linder announced Ron Starr as his chief of staff.
Council also filled vacancies on several community boards.
Livia Smith was named to the Chester Water Authority board, a paid position. She replaces Willie M. Wells, whose term expired.
Frances G. Whittington, Larif K. Hamm, Darrell V. Jones and Rasheedah L. Myers-Lee were appointed to serve on the Chester Economic Development Authority board.
Whittington fills the unexpired term of the late James Harper Sr. The other three appointees fill the expired terms of Ike Jones, Sam Quinzi and Robert Blythe. Continued...
Anzer Kirkland and Joan Neal were appointed to the Chester Redevelopment Authority board. They will fill the expired seats of Quintin O. Irving and Paul Battinieri, respectively.
Source: http://delcotimes.com/articles/2012/01/04/news/doc4f03c47edf85c608558654.txt
david blaine jordy nelson hot chelle rae guile alton brown weather los angeles caleb hanie
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.