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Date: 1/11/2022
SPRINGFIELD – As the council begins a new year, departing and returning councilors received recognition during the City Council inauguration ceremony on Jan. 3.
Newly re-elected Council President Marcus Williams of Ward 5 opened the ceremony by recognizing the contributions of former Ward 8 Councilor and state Rep. Orlando Ramos, former Ward 1 Councilor and state Sen. Adam Gomez and former Ward 1 Councilor Gumersindo Gomez. Each received a plaque of recognition for their service to the city and reflected on their tenures as councilors.
“I learned something from each and every one of you. I want to thank you for working with me and working alongside me to create some amazing policy and pieces of legislation that benefit the people of this city…I will no longer carry the title, but I will always carry the memory of the past eight years,” said Ramos, who served for seven years on the council.
“I want to give a great debt of gratitude for President Williams for recognizing my service here. When I left the council a year ago, I left to maintain it’s integrity,” said Adam Gomez, who served on the council for four years before departing for his role as state senator.
“I was given the opportunity by the City Council to see the other side of the coin…It is not easy, it is time consuming, but the City Council that we have is one that is dedicated to the issues of this city,” said Gumersindo Gomez, who assumed the position from his son Adam in 2021.
The ceremony also recognized the swearing in of the councilors, including newcomers Maria Perez of Ward 1 and Zaida Govan of Ward 8. After the recognition, the council finalized their voting decisions from the informal caucus from the Dec. 20 meeting, with Jesse Lederman being selected as vice president and Williams returning as president. Each received unanimous support from the council.
State Rep. Bud Williams swore in Marcus Williams to the president position while recognizing his work during his first term. “It is a pleasure to swear in my nephew for a second time…your family is very proud of you,” said Bud Williams.
In his address to the council, Marcus recognized the council’s resiliency amidst the trials and tribulations of the pandemic. “I am so proud of every member of the City Council who persevered and continued to make sure our city remained a beacon of hope. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your City Council President,” said Marcus.
Marcus utilized his speech to highlight ongoing issues in the city - like the wages of paraprofessionals - while also introducing upcoming changes to the council, including a new social media platform where citizens can follow all City Council business.