Call to order.

Honorable council, commissioners, chiefs and directors, public servants, fellow taxpayers, residents, journalists, guests.

Welcome to the 26th, 2026 organizational proceedings for the town of Clarksville.

My name is A.E.D.

Stonecipher, Clerk Treasurer.

As the executive officer over the town's finances, records, and compliance, I am called upon by Indiana Code to act as the presiding chairman over the town council until it elects one of its own as a chair and president for the calendar year.

At this time, according to precedent and tradition, I will call for a prayerful invocation.

For a decade now, the town council has invited clergy from nearby religious communities, as well as volunteering employees and citizens to pray over the start of each meeting, seeking a providential blessing for the unity and wisdom of both our town council and professional staff.

And now, Councilman Stotz, please introduce tonight's clergy member.

And with that, I'd like to introduce uh Scott Lawler from Return Church.

Now, why is mine the only way that has the feedback?

Good evening, everyone.

This is unseasonable, seasonable weather, which is good.

Uh if we all might pray, Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of this new year.

Thank you for our very first meeting that we might have leadership and we might have direction.

We have wisdom that only you can have the integrity that we might have, and in every decision that we make that we know that you are in this with fairness.

We ask that we have patience in every discussion that we have, that we always are listening to understand with the guidance that we have that you have given us.

And also, Heavenly Father, I would like for you to pray for every council member and their families and all of their endeavors.

What Mark 1045 says in the good book it says that our Lord and our Savior King Jesus, he didn't just come for for us to serve him, but he came to serve us.

And that just says of a service that we might have that is what we serve that they do here is that is a selfless service is what we look for.

And we all say in the mighty name of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, we all say Amen.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Please rise if you are able now for the Pledge of Allegiance.

For which it stands.

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

I hereby confirm that the elected town council sits in quorum, and I now turn to the business of appointing the town president.

I'd like to make most since Clarksville's founding by the General George Rogers Clark in 1783, with Sergeant Charles Floyd as its first constable.

Many individuals have served as town president.

The Office of President is an office not to be taken lightly.

The President prioritizes the council's agenda, makes critical appointments, and approves interagency agreements.

Perhaps more importantly, President directly affects the culture at Town Hall, the unity of the council, as well as the town's relations with neighboring cities, developers, the State House, and journalists.

The President serves as a head of town to propose the way forward and build unity, and the time for vision in unity is now.

The year 2026 stands as a critical bridge between our past and future.

A storm of funding cuts approaches, and municipalities may face the greatest financial test in a generation.

The time to batten down the hatches has come.

The waters may be choppy, and steering our town through the storm will require a steady hand and a unifying voice.

The honors of this office come with a burden of unwritten responsibilities, and any nominee should expect additional hours between the meetings through one-on-one discussions, additional research, and coalition building.

The Office of Town Council President takes effect tonight and runs through the calendar year.

And with these matters in mind, it is now my privilege and duty to call upon the council to nominate one of its own members for the office of town president.

I would like to make a motion to um appoint Bob McEwen.

Ms.

Henderson moves uh to nominate Mr.

McEwen.

Do we have a second?

I will second it.

The second to the is by Mr.

Munich.

All right.

Uh Mr.

McEwen, congratulations on the name nomination.

First of all, do you accept the nomination?

You do.

And do you desire to cast a vote for yourself tonight?

Very good.

With a nomination now on the table, I will conduct a roll call vote on the appointment of Mr.

McEwen as council president for the calendar year.

You'll indicate a favorable vote in affirmation by calling out aye.

And you'll indicate a dissenting vote in opposition by calling out nay.

You may also choose a neutral stance by calling out abstain.