May 26, 2017 - The City of Joaquin swore in newly elected council members and its first woman mayor at the May 16, 2017 meeting after the council canvassed the votes of the May 6, 2017 General Election.
FBC Haslam Pastor Bro. Jody Hooper led everyone attending the meeting in prayer outside the city office door. He prayed for the city and its council and for families in Joaquin and Shelbyville who were recently affected by tragedies.
Outgoing council member Joe Long spoke a few words before the new council was sworn in, "I just want to let everyone know it has been an honor and privilege to serve on this council for the past few years. I truly believe we leave the city and the council in far better condition than when I arrived here two years ago. We didn't always agree, nor should we, but it was during our debates that we made the tough decisions that put our city in a better position to succeed. I wish all the best to the next council, mayor and the people of Joaquin."
Mayor Bill Baker also spoke a few words agreeing with what Long had just said, "I appreciate the time that people gave me to serve the city of Joaquin and it has been a great council. Since 2010, me and you have been together Mrs. Pat [Gray] and we didn't always agree but we did come to an agreement and I would also like to congratulate the people elected to the council and mayor." Baker expressed his hope the council would continue to work with new businesses who have expressed a desire to come into Joaquin. One potential business Baker mentioned could bring 50 new jobs to Joaquin, "I would like to remind the incoming council and mayor of our tax abatement program which has done wonders to get these new businesses up here. And hopefully we can get some more people employed in Joaquin, Texas."
Baker then turned the meeting over to Justice of the Peace Margie Anderson who swore in the new council members Cathy Atkinson, Mike Cummings, Jr., and Doug Shook. Atkinson and Cummings, Jr. won the May 6th General Election for the two at large council positions. Shook won as an unopposed candidate in a special election called to finish out the more than one-year term remaining for council member Ben Brittain who resigned earlier in the year.
The new mayor Pat Gray was then sworn in. Mayor Gray said, "I want to thank y'all; I love you for being here. It's kind of a new chapter turned over in my life and I hope I can fill those shoes." Mayor Gray then began addressing each agenda item with the following results by the council:
Items approved:
7. Approved the previous month's minutes
8. Approved payment of bills
9. Selected Frankie Cooper as Mayor Pro Tem
10. Approved removing former mayor and council members from city accounts
11. Approved adding new Mayor Pro Tem to city accounts
12. Approved renewal of Certificate of Deposit with Texas Bank and updated current City Secretary and Mayor to accounts
The Joaquin City Council held a special called meeting on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 2:30pm. Following executive session which pertained to personnel matters, the council approved promoting a part-time employee, Billy Barnett, to a full-time position and approved to advertise for a part-time administrative staff position and a temporary part-time public works laborer.
