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Ritch, Swinson to lead city in coming year
Cousins sworn in for second term
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By Lee Raynor, Editor
Posted: 10:00 PM EST Monday December 05, 2005
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Kinston's new mayor, in his first official act Monday, appointed political newcomer Robert Swinson IV as the city's mayor pro tem.
Mayor “Buddy” Ritch, who was sworn in only moments earlier, named Swinson to the second highest elected post in city government. Swinson replaces long-time Councilman Joe Tyson in the pro tem seat, and Gordon Vermillion on the Council.
Swinson, Ritch and Councilman Jimmy Cousins took their oaths of office from Eighth District Superior Court Judge Paul Jones at City Hall. The three were elected in November. Cousins will be serving his second consecutive term on the City Council.
The Council thanked former Mayor Johnnie Mosley and Vermillion for their service to the city. Mosley was mayor for eight years before losing to Ritch in the September primary election, and served 10 years as a councilman before being elected mayor in 1997. Vermillion was on the council for eight years. He was defeated in the November election.
Mosley presented Vermillion with a plaque from the city commemorating his years of service on the Council.
“We've not always agreed,” Vermillion told Mosley, adding that they both did what they believed to be best for the city.
Tyson presented Mosley's plaque, calling the former mayor “my mentor.”
“His actions after Hurricane Floyd were remarkable,” Tyson said, and thanked Mosley for his 18 years of service with “unfailing integrity and dignity.”
Mosley said serving the city had been an honor and a privilege and he thanked the city for allowing him those years.
“I don't have a speech,” Mosley said.
He called a brief recess to the meeting while he and Vermillion left the Council chambers.
“We're going to move forward and do great things for this community,” Ritch said, upon taking the mayor's chair at the Council table.
A reception for Ritch and the new councilmen was held following the meeting.
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