New Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford's inaugural message: 'Buy into our vision'

Newly-sworn Mayor Craig Ford promised his administration will bring energy and hope to the people of Gadsden, and move the city forward.

"We have to define our narrative," Ford told the packed main hall Monday at The Venue at Coosa Landing. "The time has come for Gadsden to define the narrative and not let others define our narrative."

He indicated he's already been working on the prologue for that story, with meetings inside and outside City Hall in the weeks between the vote and Monday's taking of office.

"Today, we're meeting with developers that are considering coming to Gadsden, Alabama, to develop new jobs," Ford said. "We met last week ... with the individuals that have purchased the Goodyear plant. We're excited about the opportunity they're going to bring to Gadsden.

"We're working on 11 current projects at this time to come to the City of Gadsden," Ford said. "It has been painful for me to meet with them and have them say 'Well you can't make a decision till the 7th.' Well, I lined them all up today because we're going to make decisions."

He said the city is developing a master plan for Gadsden and the riverfront. "We will have a master plan in the first 90 days" in office, he said.

New mayor Ford, and new and returning members of the City Council shared the stage for inauguration with members of the Gadsden City Board of Education — an apparent symbol of what Ford said in his inaugural speech, that they will be working on the same page during his administration.

"We have an aggressive plan for our school system, working with the Board of Education," Ford said, noting the need for new facilities for grades K-8.

Prospective industrial leaders are concerned with the schools at cities they consider, he said. "So goes y'all, so goes industrial development," he said to school leaders.

Ford said meetings were planned Monday, too, to address recruitment for the Gadsden police and fire departments, and about the issue of homelessness in the city.

"We're going to work tirelessly," he said. "We're going to work with the council. We have high aspirations for what we're about to do in the City of Gadsden, some big goals.

"We need everyone in the city to buy into our vision," Ford said.

In addition to Ford, council members were sworn in : Tonya Latham, District 1, by former Etowah County Probate Judge Bobby Junkins (as was Ford); Steve Smith, District 2, by Gadsden municipal judge Nikki Tinker; Larry Avery, District 3, by former City Council member Robert Avery; Kent Back, District 4, by retired Circuit Judge William H. Rhea III; Jason Wilson, District 5, by Southside Municipal Judge Jonathon Welch; Dixie Minatra, District 6, by retired Circuit Judge Allen Millican; and Chris Robinson, District 7, by current Probate Judge Scott Hassell.

City Clerk Iva Nelson administered the oath of office collectively to Gadsden City school board members, all returning for their second term as an elected body. Board members Adrienne Reed, District 1; Nathan Carter, District 2; Z. Andre Huff, District 3; Mike Haney, District 4; Nancy Stewart, District 6; and Allen Millican, District 7, were sworn in Monday; District 5 member Markus Dayton could not attend.

A number of elected officials attended the inauguration, including U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, and Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth; Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre; Reps. Craig Lipscomb and Gil Isbell, both R-Gadsden; and presumptive incoming representatives Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, and Mark Gidley, R-Gadsden.

Hokes Bluff Mayor Scott Reeves, Attalla Mayor Larry Means, Etowah County officials and the presidents of Gadsden State Community College and Jacksonville State University were in attendance, along with a host of family, friends and associates of all those taking office.

Bishop Terry Jones gave the invocation; Pastor Kevin Rigby delivered the benediction for the ceremony.

Gadsden City High School's JROTC Color Guard presented the colors, GSCC Student Government Association President Kourtney Tillman led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Gadsden City High School Choir performed the national anthem and "Prayer of Saint Francis."

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: New mayor Ford vows to bring hope, energy to Gadsden