City of Carlsbad officially welcomes Jeff Forrest and Karla Niemeier to City Council
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The City of Carlsbad officially welcomed two new City Councilors Jan. 3.
Carlsbad Municipal Court Judge Collis Johnson administered the oath of office to Jeff Forrest and Karla Niemeier during a ceremony at the Carlsbad City Council Chambers.
Forrest represents Ward 2 and is the grandson of former-Carlsbad Mayor Bob Forrest.
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Jeff Forrest expressed excitement as a new city council member.
“I worked hard for it. We went door-to-door. We did some stuff on social media. I put my best foot ward and am excited to be elected,” he said.
Members of Forrest’s family attended the ceremony. Including his grandfather.
“I’m real excited for him and I’ve gone back on the history and I’ve been here forever. But I never remember any relative from another council member getting elected. I’m so proud of him,” Bob Forrest said.
Forrest, the manager of family business Forrest Tire defeated incumbent Leo Estrada in the Nov. 2, 2021 municipal elections.
Niemeier replaced longtime Ward 2 Councilor Jason Shirley, who chose not to seek another term last summer.
She defeated former Eddy County Magistrate Judge Dick Van Dyk in November.
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“I’m super excited to learn what I need to learn so that I can help our city move forward and grow,” she said.
Niemeier, former Carlsbad MainStreet Executive Director handles public relations for the Center for Excellence (CEHMM) said she’s ready to get to work for the people of Ward 3 and the City of Carlsbad.
She said rapid growth is one item facing councilors in 2022.
“And being prepared for what’s about to come with the oil and gas industry booming again. I’m sure there’s housing and infrastructure that we’ll have to work on,” Niemeier said.
Incumbent Ward 1 City Councilor Edward Rodriguez and fellow Ward 4 incumbent Mark Walterscheid were re-elected without opposition during the Nov. 2 elections.
The new councilors were expected to attend their first meeting on Jan. 11.
More: Carlsbad City councilor reflects on two terms in office, while newcomer plans for future
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: City of Carlsbad swears in two new City Councilors
