Kalamazoo City Commission was sworn in at a special meeting at City Hall Monday night. Commissioners David Anderson, Don Cooney, Barbara Hamilton-Miller, Stephanie Moore, as well as newcomer Terry Kuseske, took oath in front of a full chambers. Vice Mayor Hannah McKinney and Mayor Bobby Hopewell took separate oaths.
After the commission was sworn in for their two-year terms, Hopewell referenced a number of honored guests attending the meeting, including Peter Strazdas, Portage mayor and Western Michigan University associate vice president of Facilities Management, Robert Jones, former mayor of Kalamazoo and current State Representative, and Sheriff Richard Fuller.
The commission’s first act was issuing a proclamation honoring former City Commissioner Sean McCann, who did not run for re-election. McCann was given a portrait of Kalamazoo and his city commissioner nameplate.
Before McCann’s address, Hopewell joked that the board would allow him to speak for more than the allotted four minutes usually given to citizen commentators.
McCann thanked the Vine Neighborhood Association, the American Red Cross, advisory boards, and each commissioner for supporting him during his ten years serving as commissioner.
“It’s been a great time in my life,” McCann concluded, “thank you one and all.”
The commission then held congratulatory remarks, in which citizens were given two minutes to comment on the election. Strazdas was the first to speak.
“I’m here this evening, Mr. Mayor, to extend another two years of positive relationships between the two cities which make up basically half of this county,” Strazdas said.
“Congratulations on behalf of the city of Portage.”
Nick Boyd, who ran for a seat on city commissioner, also spoke.
“A few months ago we started a race,” Boyd said. “I didn’t know who all would be at the finish line, but I’m so happy to see this group of individuals in front of us.”
After public comments, each of the commissioners made comments, beginning with the newly elected Kuseske.
“I pledge to you, the citizens of this community, I can be counted to educate myself on all issues as they are presented to us, to raise questions, and finally, to cast a vote as an informed commissioner,” Kuseske said.
“This is a wonderful city, and we are all fortunate to make it our home.”
The other commissioners also gave their thanks to the citizens of Kalamazoo and said their good-byes to former Commissioner McCann.
“It has been my good fortune to work with this young man over these past years and I thank him for all that he has done for this community and for its people,” Cooney said.
Mayor Hopewell, who also honored McCann, was the last to speak.
“Thank you, my friend, for everything you’ve done for Kalamazoo,” Hopewell said.
Hopewell also thanked the community for voting and staying involved in the democratic process.
“We are a place unlike any other,” Hopewell said.
