William H. Harris sworn in as Fuquay Varina mayor; commissioners sworn and outgoing officials honored
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Summary
William H. Harris took the oath as mayor on Dec. 1; two newly elected commissioners were sworn and the board recognized outgoing officials for years of service. The ceremony included a prayer, anthem and several staff and community tributes.
William H. Harris was sworn in as mayor of Fuquay Varina at the town’s Dec. 1 organizational meeting, repeating a solemn oath to support the constitutions and laws of the United States and North Carolina and to “faithfully discharge the duties of my office as mayor of the Town of Fuquay Varina.” Superior Court Judge Keith Gregory administered the oath.
The evening began with an invocation by the Reverend Reginald Lowery of the First Baptist Church of Fuquay Varina, who asked for wisdom and strength for the new mayor, and an acapella performance of the national anthem. After Harris took the oath and signed the official paperwork, the mayor pro tem formally recognized him and invited him to preside over the meeting.
Two commissioners also were sworn in. District Court Judge Damien McCullers administered the oath to Brian Marcus Haynes, who will serve a four-year term, and State Senator Lisa Grafstein administered the oath to Christopher Warren, the other newly elected commissioner.
The board presented a formal proclamation honoring former mayor J. Blake Massengill for 13 years of service — including four years as mayor — and noted accomplishments the proclamation attributed to his tenure, such as transportation grant awards exceeding $40 million, investments in water and wastewater infrastructure, and public-safety recognitions. Outgoing Commissioner Wunsch was also honored for 12 years of service and received gifts and public thanks from the board.
Former Mayor Massengill and former Commissioner Wunsch each addressed the board and the audience; Massengill reviewed infrastructure projects, economic-development milestones and community programs carried out during his tenure, and Wunsch reflected on the town’s growth and his long service.
The ceremonial portion of the meeting concluded with short welcoming remarks from newly seated members and a scheduled 15-minute break before the business meeting.
The swearing-in was ceremonial and required no board action beyond administering oaths; the proclamations and gifts were recognitions presented by the town.
