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Charleston council swears in new members and honors longtime neighborhood volunteer
Summary
At its Jan. 13 meeting, the Charleston City Council swore in several newly elected members, presented the Robert Ballard Award to Jan Harmon for neighborhood volunteerism, and received inaugural remarks stressing infrastructure and housing priorities.
Charleston — The City Council on Jan. 13 administered oaths to newly elected and returning members and presented the Robert Ballard Award for Excellence in Volunteerism to Jan Harmon.
The meeting opened with an invocation and the pledge of allegiance before the clerk read certified results from the County Board of Canvassers for the Nov. 4, 2025 election. Judge Morrison administered the oath to newly seated council members.
Jan Harmon, honored by the neighborhood commission, accepted the Robert Ballard Award and thanked volunteers who support community events. "This award goes to all the volunteers that show up to deliver those 380 newspapers, to show up for events, bake sales, and whatever to benefit our neighborhood," Harmon said.
Several council members delivered inaugural remarks after taking the oath. Leslie Skarden said she ran to serve constituents on practical issues such as potholes, flooding and unsafe intersections and urged bold planning on larger threats, noting, "We must be bold in our solutions." She also proposed long-range ideas that include improved pedestrian connections and traffic improvements.
Council member Shealy and others thanked residents, staff and first responders and pledged to work collaboratively. "Public service is not a solo effort," Shealy said after his swearing-in.
The council moved quickly into business following the ceremonial items, signaling an early focus on committee reports and zoning matters.
The meeting is scheduled to reconvene Jan. 27.
