[JAN. 18, 2006]
Mayor Beth Davis opened the city meeting on
Tuesday evening with recognition for Dr. Martin Luther King, whose
life was celebrated on Monday.
She then recommended Melody Anderson to fill the Ward 1 seat vacated
by Patrick Madigan. Madigan resigned from the council as of the end
of December so that he could spend more time with his family.
Melody Anderson is administered the oath of office.
Anderson was accepted, with nine aldermen voting unanimously. She
was administered the oath of office by the city clerk and seated to
join the council in the evening's official business.
The city treasurer, Les Plotner, said he has known Anderson
through work for many years. She's a good choice, he said: "She does
her homework, studies well and is very independent."
City Clerk Melanie Riggs swears in James L. Davis as
new Lincoln fire chief.
Next, the mayor recommended James L. Davis Jr. to replace former
Lincoln Fire Chief Bucky Washam.
Washam announced at the city's Dec. 5 meeting that he would be
retiring as of Dec. 31. His last scheduled day in the office was
Dec. 9.
Washam had 30 years and eight months with the department. He said
that it had been wonderful memories. He credited his wife, Joanne,
with putting up with a lot.
The council accepted Davis to replace Washam for the remainder of
the appointment term, until April 30, in a 9-1 vote. Alderman Buzz
Busby was the only no.
Davis has nearly 27 years with the Lincoln Fire Department. He's
been one of three fire inspectors on the department since 1985. He
said that a new inspector would be trained to take over those
duties.
Daughters Alex and Emily Davis were in attendance at the meeting
to see their father administered the oath of office. Alex said after
the meeting that she was very happy to see her father get the
opportunity. It is a position that firefighters hope to attain, and
she was excited to see her dad get the opportunity at this point in
his career.
At the close of the council meeting the mayor announced new
committee assignments related to Anderson coming on the council.
Anderson will chair the sanitation committee, which includes animal
control, with Daron Whitaker as vice chair. She will join Whittaker
and Jonie Tibbs on streets and alleys. And she will serve on the
committees for fire, water and ESDA/EMA; police; and sidewalks.
The council sang "Happy Birthday" to City Clerk Melanie Riggs and
Alderman Benny Huskins.
