Alexander again named Salisbury’s mayor; Heggins to be mayor pro tem
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Newly appointed Mayor Karen Alexander claps for new Mayor Pro Tem Al Heggins, who served as mayor from 2017 until Tuesday. Alexander finished first in November’s elections, and the council followed tradition Tuesday in naming her mayor. Heggins offered the motion to name Alexander mayor, and the vote was unanimous. Josh Bergeron/Salisbury Post
Al Heggins is sworn in Tuesday for another term as a member of the Salisbury City Council. Heggins was later appointed mayor pro tem. Josh Bergeron/Salisbury Post
Brian Miller is sworn in Tuesday to another term on the Salisbury City Council. Josh Bergeron/Salisbury Post
Karen Alexander takes the oath of office for another term on the Salisbury City Council Tuesday. She was later named mayor. Josh Bergeron/Salisbury Post
David Post is sworn in Tuesday for another term on the Salisbury City Council. Josh Bergeron/Salisbury Post
Tamara Sheffield is sworn into another term on the Salisbury City Council in 2019. Sheffield, who will be sworn into a third term, is expected to be named Salisbury's mayor pro tem after the council is sworn in on Tuesday. Josh Bergeron/Salisbury Post
SALISBURY — Keeping with tradition that the highest vote-getter in the election becomes mayor, Karen Alexander was sworn in as Salisbury’s mayor ahead of the City Council meeting Tuesday.
It will be her second time serving in the position, after a term from 2015 to 2017.
The council also named Al Heggins as mayor pro tem after she finished fewer than 200 votes behind Alexander. Heggins had served as mayor from 2017 until Tuesday. And she quickly made a motion Tuesday that Alexander should be mayor until 2021.
Council members David Post, Brian Miller and Tamara Sheffield will complete the five seats on the board. All five council members were re-elected to serve another two-year term.
“We are going to be a council that is leading together, because everybody that sits here is incredibly talented and brings so much to our council,” Alexander said. “I am very grateful for all of their knowledge, passion that you bring to council. I look forward to our new adventure.”
After being announced as mayor, Alexander spoke about the two years to come with the council.
“I’m very excited about this council,” Alexander said. “I think over the last two years, we’ve learned a lot from each other and how to work together.”
Heggins announced her readiness for the council to get to work and spoke about her support for the other members.
“Y’all, here we go,” Heggins said. “Are we ready? Are we ready? We have some work to be done, and we’re not going to stop. I look forward to working with Karen, and I will support her every step of the way and this council.”
Sheffield said she is ready to continue the work the council has already begun.
“We’re on a great path thanks to all of you in this room,” she said. “We’ll stay on this great path. Salisbury has bigger and better things to do.”
Miller, who decided to run again for the council after some contemplation, thanked those who twisted his arm to serve again, joking that he had to visit the doctor at some point. He said it was an honor and a privilege to serve.
Rowan County Clerk of Court Jeff Barber swore in the mayor, mayor pro tem and other council members. He congratulated them on their victories and willingness to serve.
After the council members thanked voters and their family and friends, Alexander announced that the council’s broad theme for the next two year will be education. She said there is a strong connection between education and economic development.
“It is a theme that all of us as a community can get together around because it affects every one of us,” Alexander said. “It doesn’t matter what social standing, what race, what culture. It doesn’t really matter. What we’re going to do is focus on our children.”
Post said one of his goals during his term is to address public schools, too.
“It’s imperative in the next two years that we address schools,” Post said. “We all talked about economic development, but the rubber meets the road with the schools. … We are the largest contributor to the tax base in Rowan County. We’re the largest single population base in Rowan County, yet we have no voice in the schools. We have to have a larger voice in the school.”
The council began its focus on education Tuesday night with a resolution supporting the Overton Elementary and Knox Middle school communities.
