A new era in Lubbock: Mayor, 3 council members sworn in
It's a new era in Lubbock, Texas.
Amid tearful goodbyes from four now-former Lubbock officials, the city's new Mayor Tray Payne and three new city councilmembers — Christy Martinez-Garcia, Mark McBrayer and Jennifer Wilson — were sworn in and officially began their public service to the City of Lubbock Tuesday afternoon.
Following a canvass of the results, each of the outgoing officials gave their final remarks and thank-yous before the new mayor and council were administered the oath of office.
"As I think about Mayor Payne and our new council, I implore and expect that our citizens will support them, provide them grace, and be patient with them as they have been with us," outgoing Mayor Dan Pope said in his remarks. "Serving you, Lubbockites, has been the greatest honor. My heart is full. Thank you, and may God continue to bless the great people of Lubbock, Texas."
Pope received a standing ovation following his remarks from the standing-room-only crowd in the council chambers at Citizens Tower.
Following his swearing-in, Payne said, "I think you're called to serve, and I believe with all my heart that I've been called to serve this city."
"We're just going to promise to do our very best," Payne added. "I know mistakes will be made along the way, but there's no journey that's successful in the end without some mistakes along the way.
"I hope we will be able to look back on our time public service in the city and say, 'We started here, we took the reins from those that made it better, and when we finished, we made it even better than it was.' That's my hope and that's my prayer."
Editor's Note: Look for additional coverage of Lubbock's new and outgoing mayors in Sunday's edition of the Avalanche-Journal.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: A new era in Lubbock: Mayor, 3 council members sworn in
