CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) Long time public and political figure in Clarksville-Montgomery County, Joe Pitts, was sworn in Wednesday as Mayor of the City of Clarksville to a crowd of close to 650 people in the Wilma Rudolph Event Center.
The Honorable Tim Barnes, Juvenile Court Judge with Montgomery County General Sessions Court, administered the oath of office to Pitts as his wife Cynthia looked on. Pitts has served over the past 12 years as Tennessee State Representative for District 67.
Speaking to those gathered Pitts talked about Clarksville.
“It’s time for us to lead and it’s also time for us to follow. We will move our city forward, together. We’ll share in prosperity and eliminate lack, together,” Pitts said. “Let us move boldly together into this new year in unity. After all, we share this special place called Clarksville.”
After taking office, Mayor Pitts swore in three new City Council members: Vondell Richmond, Ward 2; Travis Holleman, Ward 7; and Stacey Streetman, Ward 10. Also sworn in by the mayor was incumbent City Council member Wanda Smith, Ward 6.
The Oath of Office for returning City Councilman Bill Powers, Ward 11 will be administered on January 3 and for Councilman Richard Garrett, Ward 1 on January 7.
Following the Oath of Office each official was presented with their Certificates of Election for the November 6 Clarksville City General Election by Montgomery County Administrator of Elections Elizabeth Black.
The final act of the swearing in ceremony came with the City Council’s election of Councilman David Allen as Mayor Pro Tem after he was nominated by Mayor Pitts.
Mayor Pitts and the incoming City Council members will each begin four-year terms. Council members from the other six wards are in the middle of their four-year terms. They are: Ron Erb, Ward 3; Tim Chandler, Ward 4; Valerie Guzman, Ward 5; David Allen, Ward 8; Jeff Henley, Ward 9; and Jeff Burkhart, Ward 12.