Salisbury to swear in its first new mayor in 14 years

Published 12:00 am Sunday, December 4, 2011

By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — For the first time in 14 years, Salisbury will have a new mayor Tuesday.
Tradition says the top vote-getter in November’s election will earn the Council’s nod as the city’s mayor. Paul Woodson beat current mayor Susan Kluttz by 35 votes to lead the ballot last month.
Kluttz has said she would like to maintain the tradition and will support Woodson as mayor.
All five council members were re-elected.
Part of the regular business meeting, the ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall, 217 S. Main St.
After an invocation by the Rev. Whayne Hougland of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and presentation of colors by the Police Honor Guard, council members will take the oath of office and elect a mayor and mayor pro-tem.
The new mayor will preside over the rest of the meeting, which will include:
• A resolution recognizing Kluttz.
• Update from the Salisbury and Rowan County Tourism Development Authorities regarding funds for the Rowan Arts Council.
• Changing the name of the 700 block of Old Plank Road to West Marsh Street.
• Consider a supplemental agreement to extend the completion date for the Sports Complex Sidewalk Improvement Project until Jan. 31.
• Consider a traffic agreement with the N.C. Department of Transportation concerning modernization/rehabilitation and expansion of the existing traffic signal control system.
• Update from staff regarding the Jersey City Neighborhood Intersection Improvement Project.
• Appointments to various boards and commissions.
• Council liaison appointments to 18 community groups.
• Comments from interim City Manager Doug Paris on the city’s new local water-sewer permitting authority.
After the meeting, the Council will recess until 2 p.m. Wednesday.
They will reconvene and go into closed session to discuss a personnel matter.Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.