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Chester council names 2026 committee roster, reappoints deputy mayor and city clerk; one reappointment tabled
Summary
At a Jan. 5 reorganization meeting, Chester's council adopted its 2026 standing committee assignments and unanimously reappointed Portia L. West as deputy mayor and Candace Newsome as city clerk; the council voted to table the reappointment of Nasir Leach to the Chester Economic Development Authority until the next meeting.
Chester — The City of Chester council on Jan. 5 adopted its 2026 standing committee assignments and approved key reappointments during a short reorganization meeting, while tabling one appointment for further consideration.
The council enacted a resolution establishing standing committees for 2026, naming members and chairs for Public Safety (Stefan Roots, Portia West, Shaiquan Davis; chair: Stephan/Stefan Roots), Budget and Finance (Shaiquan Davis, Stephan/Stefan Roots, Fred Green; chair: Shaiquan Davis), Public Works (Portia West, Tamika Williams, Shaiquan Davis; chair: Portia West), Recreation (Tamika Williams, Portia West, Fred Green; chair: Tamika Williams), and Housing & Community Development (Fred Green, Stefan/Stephan Roots, Tamika Williams; chair: Fred Green). The resolution was read aloud and adopted with no substantive amendments.
The council reappointed Portia L. West as deputy mayor, charging her to preside in the mayor's absence and to perform ceremonial duties upon request. A resolution reappointing Candace Newsome as city clerk at the salary range set by the annual appropriation ordinance also passed.
One appointment was delayed. The council introduced a resolution to reappoint Nasir Leach to the Chester Economic Development Authority (term to expire 12/31/2030) but a motion to table the reappointment passed after roll-call votes. During the roll call on the motion to table, the recorded responses were: Councilor Williams — Yes; Councilor Green — No; Councilor West — No; Councilor Davis — Yes; Mayor (recorded variably as Roos/Ruth) — Yes. The item will appear on the council's next regular meeting agenda for further deliberation.
The meeting also opened with routine business: roll call and approval of the Dec. 22 minutes, which were moved, seconded and carried.
Council members and the mayor emphasized that the standing committees are intended to provide focused oversight in areas such as public safety, finance, public works and housing, and encouraged residents to engage with committee meetings on issues affecting the city.
The council adjourned after a brief public comment period and a presentation from public works on the city's new trash contract.
