Alexandria swears in new city council
By: David Sherfinski
Examiner Staff Writer
July 3, 2009
Two new faces -- to say the least -- were among those sworn in to the Alexandria City Council.
Republican Frank Fannon IV and independent Alicia Hughes became the first non-Democrats to be sworn in on the council since 2003. Former Mayor Kerry Donley was sworn in as vice mayor, and Mayor William "Bill" Euille and incumbents Rob Krupicka, Paul Smedberg and Redella "Del" Pepper were sworn in to three-year terms. All won their office in the May 5 election.
"Six years ago, I took the oath of office for mayor ... I hope I have not disappointed," Euille said Wednesday night. "I still have the passion to serve and the desire to ensure that no one is left behind."
Euille said the new board must address Alexandria's high school dropout rate, teen pregnancy, business retention and attraction, the future of development on the Alexandria waterfront, and the redevelopment of Landmark Mall.
"The campaign's over -- it's now time for us to govern," Donley said.
Outgoing Councilman Tim Lovain kept his sense of humor in his remarks to the newly elected members, doing his best David Letterman impression with a reading of the "Top 10 Reasons Why Losing was Good for Me."
Lovain said he felt like he was recovering somewhat well from his defeat, but that "sometimes it feels like Plunky the Elephant sat on my head." Lovain was alluding to the Alexandria City Republicans' "Plunky the Elephant" cartoon that advocated selective voting ("plunking") of just the three Republican-backed candidates while leaving the rest of the ballots blank.
Outgoing Councilman Justin Wilson, who won a special election to the council in 2007, thanked the board members for the work they've done in the past two years.
"I am so immensely proud of what we've been able to accomplish," he said. Wilson said people told him in 2007 that, as the "new guy" on the council, he should stay quiet and earn his stripes before speaking up and tackling controversial issues.
"I ignored that advice," he said. "I ignored the heck out of that advice."
"Please don't waste [the opportunity]," he told the newly elected members. "I know you won't."
The City Council's first legislative session is scheduled for Sept. 8.
