Carolyn Cummings now chair of Leon County Commission for 2023-24
The Leon County Commission elected Commissioner Carolyn Cummings as its new chair and Commissioner Brian Welch as vice chair during its annual reorganization ceremony.
The leaderships changes took place amid customary pomp and circumstance Tuesday in commission chambers at the Leon County Courthouse.
Cummings, a local probate attorney and one of two at-large commissioners on the seven-member board, was first elected in 2020; Welch, a Chiles High social studies teacher, was elected that same year, also for the first time.
After placing her hand on the Bible and taking the oath of office, Cummings thanked her friends, family, supporters, fellow commissioners, staff, members of her church and God. She pledged to advocate for affordable healthcare and housing, veterans and marginalized citizens.
Cummings also promised to push for "great growth and development," a vibrant economy and jobs with livable wages and an end to gun violence, which she said "continues to snatch far too soon the lives of our children."
She paid tribute to former county commissioners, including the late Anita Davis, the first Black woman elected to the commission, Henry Lewis III, the first Black person elected to the commission, and Mary Ann Lindley.
"I recognize that I sit here today in the shoulders of many past and present great elected leaders in Leon County," she said. "It's too numerous to name. However, I will learn from the history in public service of all of those that have come before me.
"I'm just grateful and humbled to follow in those giant footsteps, and I recognize that they have paved the way for me to not only sit on this dais but today to become the chairperson of this dais for the next year."
As chairperson, Cummings will preside over commission meetings and represent the board at a variety of events. She replaces the former chair, County Commissioner Nick Maddox. Clerk of Court Gwen Marshall presided over the swearing-in ceremony.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Carolyn Cummings, Brian Welch will next lead Leon County Commission
