Mayor Mark McGre and three council members sworn in at Leach ceremony

Mayor Mark McGre and three council members were sworn in at a special Leach City Council ceremony Wednesday, May 20, at 5:30 p.m., formalizing terms after the May 2 local election canvass.

The ceremony in City Hall began with an invocation by Reverend Paul Carpenter of First Christian Church and the Pledge of Allegiance before council members and the mayor took ceremonial oaths of office.

Councilman David Bugal, who will represent District 3, was sworn in first; the oath was administered by Speaker of the House Dustin Boris. After taking the oath, Councilman David Bugal thanked supporters and said, "this campaign was truly a team effort," and pledged to represent his district.

Councilwoman Christy Martinez Garcia was sworn in for a second term representing District 1; her daughter Amoris administered the oath. Martinez Garcia thanked family members and called for more youth involvement in local government, saying the next generation "needs to step up" and urging residents to "rise by lifting others."

Dr. Jennifer Wilson took the oath for District 5, administered by her husband, Nick. Wilson thanked colleagues and city staff and said she looks forward to continuing to work with the council to make decisions in the city's interest.

Mayor Mark McGre then took the oath of office, administered by the honorable Phil Johnson. McGre said the two words that have guided his service remain "duty and responsibility," and he expressed optimism about the city's prospects over the next two years.

Before the oaths, Councilman Tim Collins framed the ceremony as a public accountability moment and thanked the families who support elected officials. The program closed with Mayor McGre announcing a special election for District 4 expected in June and an invitation to a reception with punch and cookies in the lobby.

The ceremony was ceremonial in nature; no formal votes or council actions were recorded during the swearing-in program.