Community welcomes Roy Lovelady to Third Ward seat on Columbia City Council
Feeling blessed is what Roy Lovelady says he experienced Saturday ahead of being sworn in at City Hall as Columbia's Third Ward city council member.
Following a rare election tie in April, Lovelady unseated long-serving council member Karl Skala in a special election Aug. 2, which Lovelady won 1,419 to 1,269.
Lovelady plans to be a "servant to the people" who listens to residents in his ward and votes according to their wishes, he said Saturday morning.
"It's not a me, but a we," Lovelady said.
More: Inside the different perspective Roy Lovelady will bring to the Columbia City Council
Among Lovelady's supporters at his swearing-in ceremony was Annabelle Simmons, who — while she lives in Fourth Ward — has previously worked with Lovelady's community advocacy efforts.
"He is a hard worker, and I'm sure he will be honest and transparent," Simmons said.
Lovelady in his remarks following his swearing-in thanked Skala for his years of service to the city. He also thanked God, his family, supporters and voters in the ward.
"The campaign was a whirlwind," Lovelady said.
The murder of George Floyd on Lovelady's birthday in 2019 spurred him to action, Lovelady said.
"We wanted to mobilize for change," he said about his eventual council campaign.
Lovelady is the fourth Black person to sit on the city council. Prior to Lovelady, Clyde Ruffin was the most recent, serving from 2015 to 2020. Before Ruffin, there was Almeta Crayton, on the council from 1999 to 2008, and Harold Warren in the early 1970s.
More: Roy Lovelady 'ecstatic' after defeating incumbent Karl Skala for Columbia City Council
Lovelady touted the importance of chosen family, including in the LGBTQ community.
Prior to Lovelady's swearing-in, Mayor Barbara Buffaloe and city manager De'Carlon Seewood presented Skala with a proclamation, plaque and silver platter recognizing his years of service to the city, including as mayor pro tem.
"And so it goes," Skala said in his final remarks as council member, referencing author Kurt Vonnegut.
"Public service is a privilege and trust is essential," he added, thanking the community and recognizing the support of his wife, Mahree.
"I have many accomplishments and few regrets. ... I will take my leave and go fishing," Skala said.
Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Please consider subscribing to support vital local journalism.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Roy Lovelady installed as Third Ward Council member
