Chesapeake City Council Oath of Office Ceremony – December 30, 2024
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Chesapeake City Council Oath of Office Ceremony – December 30, 2024
On December 30, 2024, at 5:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber, the Chesapeake City Council held an oath of office ceremony for re-elected Mayor Richard W. “Rick” West and Councilmember S. Z. “Debbie” Ritter, and newly elected Councilmembers Patricia Y. “Pat” King and Les Smith Jr. The ceremony included an invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, oath administration by Circuit Court Chief Judge Marjorie Arrington, and comments from each councilmember. Chesapeake General Registrar Mary Lynn Pinkerman presented certificates of election.
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
- Councilmember C. Jeff Bunn offered the invocation, praying for wisdom, unity, love, and good judgment for the incoming council.
- The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Bunn.
Oath of Office Administration
- Chief Judge Marjorie Arrington administered the oath to each councilmember individually.
- Each councilmember was accompanied by family and a supporter who offered a prayer or words of encouragement:
- Mayor West was accompanied by his wife Vicky West and former Congressman Randy Forbes, who prayed for wisdom and protection.
- Councilmember Ritter was accompanied by Shirley Forbes, who prayed for local leaders and quoted Apostle Paul’s instruction to pray for those in authority.
- Councilmember King was accompanied by her daughter Lauren King and School Board member Tom Mercer, who prayed for discernment, compassion, and unity.
- Councilmember Smith was accompanied by his uncle Walter Sherrill and Bishop Kevin White, who prayed for fortitude, wisdom, and the ability to serve well.
- All oaths were for terms commencing January 1, 2025, and expiring December 31, 2028.
Comments by Re-elected Councilmembers
- Mayor Richard W. West thanked his wife, family, and friends, and noted Chesapeake’s recognition as an exceptional place to live with outstanding schools, safe communities, and economic prosperity. He emphasized focusing on opportunities and avoiding distractions.
- Councilmember Debbie Ritter thanked attendees and expressed gratitude for earning citizens’ confidence. She noted that public service is a privilege and highlighted that the greatest accomplishments often involve helping with smaller problems. She thanked her family, especially Shirley Forbes.
Comments by Newly Elected Councilmembers
- Councilmember Patricia Y. “Pat” King thanked God, her parents, Congressman Bobby Scott, family, friends, campaign supporters, and the over 49,000 citizens who voted for her. She drew a parallel between her Hippocratic oath as a physician and her new oath, committing to data-driven, ethical, and compassionate decision-making. She promised to be fair, respectful, and not manipulated or intimidated. She stated, “Together, we will keep Chesapeake great.”
- Councilmember Les Smith Jr. thanked God, his mother (deceased), family, campaign manager, endorsements including Senator Louise Lucas and Delegate Cliff Hayes, and the 49,252 citizens who voted for him. He emphasized his platform of listening to citizens and improving quality of life. He expressed gratitude to be part of propelling Chesapeake to new heights.
Benediction and Adjournment
- Councilmember C. Jeff Bunn offered a benediction, praying for grace, truth, justice, stability, and fairness for the city and its leaders.
- Vice Mayor John M. Detriquet concluded the ceremony, thanking all attendees.
No business items, votes, or public comments occurred; the meeting was entirely ceremonial.
Meeting Transcript
Mr. Vice Mayor, we have a quorum. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the Chesapeake City Council, I would like to welcome all of you here this evening and thank you for taking the time to attend the oath of office ceremony. So uh I will uh recognize each of you, um, and at the end, certainly we can uh all recognize uh them with an applaud. First, the honorable Robert C. Scott, United States Congress. From our House of Delegates, the Honorable Cliff Hayes. From our House of Delegates, the Honorable Cliff Hayes, the Honorable Michael Faggins, certainly our judge who will be uh assisting in the uh oath of office, uh Honorable Marjorie Arrington, Chief Judge. We have our Constitutional Officers, the Honorable Ben White, the Honorable Victoria Prophet, and the Honorable David Rosato. And also, I think the Director of Health, uh, Nancy Welsh is here with us tonight. Nancy, and former Commissioner of the Revenue, Ray Connor. From our school board, we have the Honorable Thomas Mercer, the Honorable Michael Lamonia, the Honorable Elijah Cologne, and the Honorable Malia Huttle, our General Registrar, uh Mary Lynn Pinkin is here, and certainly the honorable former Congressman Randy and his wife Shirley Forbes. Everyone, I mentioned as certainly has been or is a friend, but one of my dear friends from my experience on City Council, the honorable former councilmember Dwight Parker. Right. At this time, Councilmember Bunn will offer the invocation and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we honor you as Mayor Rick West, Councilmembers Debbie Ritter, Patricia King, and Les Smith take the oath of office tonight. We ask that you give us a heart of wisdom, unity, and love. May your wisdom produce in us creativity and ideas, solutions to problems, new technologies, and products. May you give us sound counsel and good judgment to help us make good decisions. May you also give us greater knowledge, understanding, and power so that we may live skillfully and give back to what is good and excellent in our community. Amen. Amen. Please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic. Thank you, Councilmember Bunn. This evening, the Honorable Marjorie Arrington, Circuit Court Chief Justice will be administering the oath of office to re-elected Mayor Richard W. West and Councilmember Debbie Ritter and newly elected Councilmembers Patricia Y. King and Les Smith Jr. Joining Chief Judge Arrington will be Mayor Lynn Pinkerman, Chesapeake General Registrar, who will present each council member with a certificate of election. At this time, I would like to ask the Honorable Richard W. West to come forward to take his oath of office. Mayor West will be accompanied by his wife Vicky West and the Honorable Randy Forbes, who will offer a prayer of support. You raise your right hand, please. And repeat after me. I, Richard W. Rick West. I Richard W. Rick West. Do solemnly swear or affirm. Solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States. That I will support the Constitution of the United States. And the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. And the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. And that I will faithfully and impartially. And that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent upon me. Discharge all the duties incumbent upon me. As mayor of the City of Chesapeake, Virginia. As mayor of the City of Chesapeake, Virginia.
openpublica.com