If District Heights officials had relied on tradition Thursday night, no one would have handed newly elected Mayor James Walls Jr. his gavel.
Outgoing Mayor Carol Johnson was nowhere to be found at the ceremony, said Eddie Martin, District Heights’ vice-mayor.
“It’s tradition that the incumbent be there,” Martin said. “You know, to just pass the gavel and thank people for support, that kind of thing. She wasn’t there.”
Several District Heights officials said, in addition to Thursday night’s activities, Johnson has missed five city meetings since February. Johnson said illnesses and city business done best away from the podium kept her from the city’s monthly meetings.
“I’m not one to sit on the podium to argue,” Johnson said. “I’m there for the people. I’m not there to argue.”
Martin said commissioners’ questions about Johnson’s spending habits spurred her disappearance. Johnson said changes in family and work responsibilities ate up her time.
Walls chuckled and said he was already off to a good start in his new position.
“I showed up to be sworn in,” Walls said. “That was the biggest thing.”
