Swearing in: Sheffield, Kluttz, McLaughlin take oaths of office
Published 12:10 am Thursday, February 20, 2025
Salisbury Mayor Tamara Sheffield is sworn in by City Clerk Connie Snyder while friends support her.
Newly sworn-in Salisbury Mayor Pro Tem Harry McLaughlin embraces aunt Shirley McLaughlin while his family looks on.
Councilor Susan Kluttz is sworn in by City Clerk Connie Snyder while husband William Kluttz holds the Bible.
SALISBURY — The Salisbury City Council chambers were filled on Tuesday, as family, friends and more gathered to watch Mayor Tamara Sheffield, Mayor Pro Tem Harry McLaughlin and Councilor Susan Kluttz be sworn in.
“The philanthropic culture that we have here, the entertainment, the best restaurants, the best shops, the best downtown, the best co-workers, all these things that make Salisbury so special. I hope people, no matter where they live, can feel that. It’s not the challenges that we’ve endured, which we’ve already had and we’ll have more to face, but it’s how we respond in times of adversity and critical that we remain focused in our strategic plan,” said Sheffield.
Sheffield was appointed by the council to fill the role of mayor vacated by the death of former Mayor Karen Alexander in late December.
“Our city’s been through a devastating loss with the loss of our former mayor. I met with her regularly and so I know firsthand exactly what she thought of this council and the staff of the city of Salisbury and the people of the city of Salisbury. So, there (was) no way I could say no. I really want to help and I really want to help and do anything I can,” said Kluttz.
This is the second major shakeup to the city council in recent months, as Councilor Carlton Jackson Jr. was appointed to the council in November to fill a seat vacated by Anthony Smith.
The members of the council have said that Kluttz’s experience as a former mayor of Salisbury herself along with her preexisting knowledge of the city’s current plan left her as a natural candidate to fill the empty seat.
McLaughlin was appointed to fill the role left by Sheffield while Kluttz filled in McLaughlin’s seat.
“We’ve gone through a lot of changes in the last several months, but I think we still have a fantastic team here of individuals who want to see the city achieve the goals that we have,” said McLaughlin.
Aside from the immediate family and friends of Sheffield, Kluttz and McLaughlin, the swearing in was attended by Alexander’s family as well as all of the surviving former mayors of Salisbury — Al Heggins, Paul Woodson and Margaret Kluttz.