New Covington Leaders Take Oath, Speak of Optimism for Future

The City of Covington welcomed its new city commission at a formal swearing-in ceremony on Friday evening at the Carnegie.

 

Mayor Joe Meyer and Commissioners Timothy Downing, Jordan Huizenga, Bill Wells, and Michelle Williams took the oath of office in front of a crowd in the Otto M. Budig Theatre. Local mayors from surrounding cities attended along with friends, family, and constituents of the new city leaders.

 

Former Mayor Chuck Scheper served as master of ceremonies, Rev. Richard Fowler offered a blessing, and retired Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Donald Wintersheimer presided over the oath, wearing his red robe, and talked about the years he spent in Covington. He also spoke about the time he ran for office and when it came time to gather the campaign signs after the election, Joe Meyer came to help him, and Wintersheimer quipped, “If Joe says something, it’s got to be true.”

 

Following the oath, the new commissioners – who presided over their first official meeting on Tuesday – spoke.

 

Tim Downing spoke first, saying it was a surreal experience, being a relative unknown and running and winning an election.

 

“People ask me why?,” he said. “I had a teacher who said if you see a problem, you can either complain, or raise your hand and address the problem.” He asked the audience to be proactive and to send ideas to the commission, and quoted President Calvin Coolidge, who said, “We can’t do everything at once, but we can do something at once.”

 

Jordan Huizenga, starting his second term, took to the podium and snapped a selfie with the rest of the commissioners and dignitaries in the background. He thanked the past commissioners, and the past mayors who have helped to make Covington a better place. He listed a few achievements and said he hoped to continue the growth to make Covington the best community and city where he will raise his kids and continue to call home.

 

Bill Wells, also in his second term, went even further with the city’s achievements within the last few years, citing the Hotel Covington, Duveneck Square mixed-use project, 501 Main residential and commercial development, and new restaurants and businesses, and improvements to several parks. He also stated that he hoped the city could continue the growth and forward thinking.

 

Michelle Williams began with a loud “Woohoo!” and proceeded to thank everyone for electing her. She previously served on the commission in 2013-14, but lost in the 2014 election. In November, she was the top vote-getter, earning her second term one vote ahead of Wells. Williams vowed to maintain an open door policy.

 

Mayor Meyer, who previously served as a state representative and state senator in addition to other roles in the local and state government, spoke last.

 

“Our city is built on the sacrifices and hard work of those who have gone before,” he said. “Covington is a great place to be.”

 

He went on to say that Covington has some big city problems, but that the community was off to a good start. He told the audience about the new rules adoped for meeting procedures, and said that he wants to have unprecedented transparency. Meyer promised to keep people in the loop and listen to the concerns of the citizens. He finished by welcoming Covington to its third century.