Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cheryl Littlejohn appointed to Gastonia City Council seat for Ward 4 after council vote
Summary
The Gastonia City Council appointed Cheryl Littlejohn to fill the vacant Ward 4 seat. Council members nominated and voted; the motion passed despite procedural confusion during roll call. Public comments and letters supported Littlejohn’s nomination.
The Gastonia City Council appointed Cheryl Littlejohn to the vacant Ward 4 seat following nominations and a council vote.
Councilman Kasimpious nominated Littlejohn during the meeting; the nomination was seconded and put to a vote. The council conducted the vote in open session; at one point the tallying process generated disagreement about whether absent members had been counted. The final result reported on the record was that the nomination carried with two council members recorded as opposed and the remainder recorded in favor. The mayor then administered the oath to Littlejohn.
Public speakers and a letter submitted for the meeting supported Littlejohn’s appointment. Anderson D. Warlick — identified in a letter read at the meeting as chairman and CEO of Parkdale Incorporated — urged the council to appoint Littlejohn, describing her work with local youth, business ownership (Legacy Event Center and Smith’s Soul Food Bistro) and community service. Several residents also spoke in support, describing Littlejohn’s role as a mentor and a business leader who runs programs that employ and coach young people.
The council did not record individual yes/no votes for each member in the meeting transcript available; the record shows the motion received the necessary affirmative votes to carry and the mayor then swore in Littlejohn at the dais. Littlejohn spoke briefly after being sworn in, saying she is “honored to be part of a great team” and that she looks forward to serving Ward 4.
Meeting participants noted that five candidates had been interviewed for the Ward 4 vacancy at a previous session; council members said choosing among qualified applicants was difficult. The council clerk administered the oath after the vote.
