In those twilight moments of Thursday evening, swearing-in ceremonies for Christian County government capped off with the admission of well-known Mayor-Elect J.R. Knight and 12 city wards — Sophia Francis, Bruce Smiley, Donald Marsh, Chuck Crabtree, Amy Craig, Travis Martin, Doug Wilcox, Robert Terry Meek, Jamie Leinberger, Steve Keel, Jason Bell and Matthew Handy.
A packed city council chambers gave rousing applause, as Judge Andrew Self administered the oath of office to the body.
Knight, who claimed a convincing November victory over former city councilwoman Alethea West, said the transition of power couldn’t have gone smoother from the outgoing and retiring Mayor Wendell Lynch.
In a prepared speech to the council, onlookers and supporters, Knight said the most important facet of his upcoming tenure will be the concept of “growing home,” and not just “growing for growth’s sake.”
A former lifeguard and swimming instructor for the city’s recreation department, Self poignantly noted that Knight had been one of his students all those years ago.
Even then, Self said Knight had qualities befitting of a city leader.
Furthermore, like many had to do throughout Thursday’s swearing-in efforts, Self had to affirm that those taking office had never fought or aided in a deadly-weapons duel, something that was codified for the Kentucky Constitution in 1850.
Self reminded the body that things were just that different prior to the American Civil War.
City Council will hit the ground running beginning with its first meeting together Tuesday, January 3.
