Pontiac Officials Swear In, Share Successes and Aspirations

Pontiac officers swear by it, share successes and ambitions

(Crystal A. Proxmire, January 7, 2025)

Pontiac, MI – The Pontiac Excessive College auditorium was stuffed with optimistic faces because the group gathered on January 1 to swear in Pontiac’s subsequent mayor and metropolis council.

Former Metropolis Council President Mike McGuinness was elected mayor. The town additionally welcomed council members in newly appointed districts, in addition to library board members.

fiftieth District Court docket Decide Cynthia Walker administered the oath of workplace, starting with library board members Angela Allen, Dorian Burkett, Carlton Jones, Yvette Brinker Marion, Rosie Lance Richardson and Carol Turpin.

Newly appointed Councilman Chris Jackson has vowed to serve District 1 and thanked Pontiac seniors for being “the lifeblood of our group.” He additionally pledged help to the youth, saying, “Our youth deserve entry to alternatives and choices.”

Milanna Jones was appointed to the Metropolis Council simply 15 months in the past and gained her race in District 2 to maintain her seat. Amongst her considerations are Pontiac’s roads. “I am specializing in the infrastructure,” Jones stated. “We’ll search our main and minor corridors” to make the town a spot individuals are proud to go to.

In District 3, Mikail Goodman was re-elected after first profitable a seat on the Council 4 years in the past at age 21. “I got here in with a mission to enhance housing and the standard of housing,” he stated, pledging to keep up a give attention to methods to make life higher for everybody in Pontiac.

Kathalee James continues her group service and represents District 4. “If I may consider one phrase to explain our group, it could be unstoppable,” James stated.

Returning to District 5, William Carrington urged residents and the Metropolis Council to “dream large and dream large.”

“During the last 4 years we’ve got delivered outcomes for the town and we’ll proceed to take action,” he stated.

Regina Campbell swore in to symbolize District 6, and Adrian Austin swore in as Pontiac’s first At-Giant councilor. Everybody thanked their household, associates and supporters.

Mike McGuinness was not too long ago sworn in as mayor of Pontiac and shared his accomplishments over the previous 4 years, in addition to what’s subsequent on the town’s agenda.

“Your metropolis is in its most steady and powerful monetary place in many years, with an AA bond score and $67 million in fund reserves,” McGuinness stated.

“The Phoenix Heart… that challenge has been resolved. The County demolished it by itself, the $5 million debt that was on our backs has been eradicated with the help of the State of Michigan. We now have a brand new day, a brand new chapter for Downtown’s South Aspect,” he stated.

Mayor McGuinness additionally touted enhancements in code enforcement, grasp planning and retiree advantages. A brand new youth middle is being constructed. Administration of the Group Improvement Block Grant funding can be dealt with by the town, together with a $14 million funding in rebuilding the Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge whereas building is underway.

A brand new group funding regulation means corporations should carry worth to the desk with growth proposals. And the town bought the previous Pontiac Central Constructing to provide the Division of Public Works an excellent facility to function from.

Going ahead, Pontiac officers will give attention to seven issues. The primary is to reorganize Metropolis Corridor to construct what Mayor McGuinness calls “an operation of excellence.” This contains welcoming the town’s new Deputy Mayor, Richard T. Seay, who brings with him a lifelong historical past of group involvement.

Metropolis leaders will work to place Federal Rescue Plan {dollars} to work. They may work to speak extra successfully with all residents. They may work to reimagine youth recreation. They may give attention to rebuilding group providers and enhancing neighborhoods, in addition to stimulating housing development.

And at last, McGuinness stated, they are going to “activate the inventive class” to make Pontiac “the inventive and artistic capital of your complete state of Michigan.”

The ceremony attracted residents of all ages and backgrounds in Pontiac, in addition to officers representing Pontiac on the county and state ranges, and officers from neighboring communities.

For extra details about the town of Pontiac, go to their web site at https://www.pontiac.mi.us/. And for extra Pontiac information tales, go to the Oakland County Occasions Pontiac Information Web page.

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