Teron sworn in as City Council member; Mary Anne Hankins Booker serves as acting mayor for the ceremony

Councilwoman Mary Anne Hankins Booker was named acting mayor for a swearing-in ceremony in a City Council meeting (date not specified), and Teron took the oath of office and addressed the council and public.

The council moved to appoint Hankins Booker as acting mayor specifically to preside over the swearing-in. The motion was seconded and approved by roll call; members listed as voting yes in the transcript were Hankins Booker, Epps, Chapman, Gill, Hampton, Weager, Williams, Sezit and Warren.

The swearing-in was administered by a judge invited to the dais. Council members then offered brief remarks to the newly sworn member. In his first remarks after taking the oath, Teron said, “I wanna, thank God because he has opened so many doors that I just did not see. And this is one of those doors.” He added that he would “do my best to support you and help Lawton to continue to progress,” and said he planned to meet constituents in his ward.

Council members and other speakers offered encouragement and advice during the ceremony, urging Teron to read the city charter and ordinances, lean on colleagues while learning the job and keep constituents’ needs foremost. A representative of the city manager’s office offered congratulations on behalf of city staff.

Following the remarks, a council member moved to adjourn the meeting and proceed to a reception. That motion was approved by roll call; the transcript records yes votes from the members listed above.

The meeting record shows an invocation and pledge earlier in the session and several short ceremonial remarks from council colleagues during the swearing-in. No ordinances, resolutions or other formal legislative actions were taken during the portions of the transcript covering the swearing-in and reception motion.