Council incumbents sworn in; mayor, vice president retained

Tuesday, December 6, 2016
From left, Councilwoman Janet Hepp and Councilman Jerry Calvin are read the Oath of Office by City Clerk Lea Ann Doak during Monday's regularly scheduled meeting. (Bruce Baker/McCook Gazette)

McCOOK, Neb. -- A pair of incumbent members of the McCook City Council were sworn in for another four years Monday evening and elections for Mayor and Vice President were conducted without changes.

Councilman Jerry Calvin and Councilwoman Janet Hepp both ran unopposed during this year's General Election. Councilman Calvin received 2,587 votes and Councilwoman Hepp received 2,175 votes, according to unofficial results from Red Willow County election officials. 70 votes were cast for write-in City Council candidates.

City Clerk Lea Ann Doak read the official oath to both recently elected council members during Monday's regularly scheduled meeting. The oath swears support to defending the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Nebraska against all enemies, in addition to bearing true faith and allegiance to the same. It also commits council members to faithfully and impartially performing City Council duties, according to the law and to the best of their ability.

The oath also includes a pledge not to advocate, or support organizations that advocate, for the overthrow of state or federal government by force or violence, "So help me God."

Councilman Calvin responded with an "I do. I do and I will," prompting light-hearted laughter and an "I will" response from Councilwoman Hepp.

Doak and the other council members subsequently congratulated Calvin and Hepp on their reelection .

"On behalf of our citizens, congratulations, thank you for your continued service. It's a real please serving with you and looking forward to more years," said Mayor Mike Gonzales.

Following the oath of office, Councilman Calvin nominated Mayor Gonzales to serve as Mayor for the next two years. Councilman Gene Weedin provided a second for the motion and Councilwoman Hepp said Gonzales had done a fine job, "and he should just keep going on it."

Councilman Calvin indicated agreement and Mayor Gonzales was subsequently selected to continue on a unanimous 5-0 vote.

"Thank you very much," said Mayor Gonzales after the vote.

A few moments later Councilman Calvin nominated Councilwoman Hepp to continue in her role as Vice President of City Council. Councilman Weedin similarly provided a second for the motion and Hepp was subsequently selected to continue on a unanimous 5-0 vote.

Aside from city department heads, two members of the public attended Monday's meeting.

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