CLARKSVILLE, >Tenn. – Seven newly elected Clarksville City Council members will be sworn in at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5 during a special called meeting in the Council Chambers.
Mayor Joe Pitts gave the new members the option of attending the meeting to take the oath of office in person or to be sworn in via online conference, which is permitted under special pandemic-related emergency orders issued by Gov. Bill Lee.
“We usually add a bit of fanfare to our swearing in of City Council members, and move the meeting to the Wilma Rudolph Event Center and welcome families and well-wishers,” Mayor Pitts said. “But this time, in keeping with our efforts during the coronavirus pandemic to avoid crowding and maintain social distancing, we will keep the crowd small and the ceremony simple.”
Family members of new Council members and citizens are encouraged not to attend the meeting but to view the proceedings on CDE Lightband Channel 3, via livestream at the City’s website, www.cityofclarksville.com, or via Facebook Live at facebook.com/cityofclarksvilletn/.
After the oaths, the Council will deal with one piece of formal business -- selecting a Mayor Pro Tem. Then at 4:30 p.m. the Council will convene its monthly Executive Session, a non-voting meeting where members preview and discuss the monthly agenda. The Council’s regular monthly meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7.
Newly elected members of the City Council are: DaJuan Little, Ward 3; Wallace Redd, Ward 4; Jason Knight, Ward 5; Wanda Allen, Ward 8; Karen Reynolds, Ward 9; Ashlee Evans, Ward 11; and Trisha Butler, Ward 12. Each was elected to a four-year term, except for Evans, who was elected to fill the remaining two years of the unexpired term in Ward 11. Five members seated in 2019 each have two years remaining in their terms. They are Richard Garrett, Ward 1; Vondell Richmond, Ward 2; Wanda Smith, Ward 6; Travis Holleman, Ward 7; and Stacey Streetman, Ward 10.
The Clarksville City Council election on Nov. 3 was remarkable for several reasons, Mayor Pitts said at the time.
“First, voters for the first time chose seven new City Council members, the highest number in one election in memory,” Mayor Pitts said.
“Second, voters chose a very diverse City Council, which now will have gender balance, with six women and six men, and six members of the Council are African-Americans. These are both unique totals in our history, and this new Council will truly reflect our community, which is a good thing.
“I thank all of the outgoing members for their service, and I look forward to working with all our new Council members as we all strive for a prosperous, inclusive Clarksville.”