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Madison Heights swears in new mayor and council, honors outgoing leaders
Summary
At its organizational meeting the Madison Heights City Council swore in Mayor Corey Haines and two new council members, presented certificates honoring outgoing Mayor Rosalind Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Bliss and Councilman David Soltis, and heard brief farewell remarks from departing officials.
Madison Heights formally convened its organizational meeting Monday evening, swearing in newly elected and returning members and recognizing outgoing officials for their years of service.
Corey Haines was listed in a ceremonial proclamation as mayor and administered the dais proclamations recognizing outgoing Mayor Rosalind Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Bliss and Councilman David Soltis for multiyear service to the city. The council then administered oaths: Toya Aaron and Laurie Gerald were sworn in as council members and William Muir as mayor pro tem before the council recessed briefly for photographs.
The council’s recognition of departing officials recited accomplishments attributed to each honoree, noting expanded environmental programs and community events under Mayor Grafstein and the creation of city advisory boards and fundraising initiatives credited to Mark Bliss and others. The proclamation language said that Grafstein “revived the Environmental Citizens Committee” and advanced sustainability projects, and that Bliss led efforts to found the Information Technology Advisory Committee and the Arts Board.
Outgoing members offered personal remarks. Mark Bliss reflected on 12 years of service and on small, incremental projects that reshaped city programming, saying, “Any one small strategic action is always capable of sparking huge positive changes.” Council members and residents exchanged thanks and best wishes during closing comments.
The new mayor asked the community to give the council time to organize, saying the body should be allowed “100 days” to assess priorities and begin implementing a strategic plan. The meeting closed at 8:24 p.m.
What happens next: the new council begins its work with routine committee appointments and public events on the calendar, including a scheduled tree-lighting and an upcoming strategic budget workshop.
