'It's surreal': Hagerstown celebrates Tekesha Martinez as its first black mayor

Hagerstown made political history again Tuesday when Councilwoman Tekesha Martinez was named the city's first Black mayor.

Serving on the council along with Shelley McIntire and Tiara Burnett, also a woman of color, Martinez is part of an administration that's been the most diverse in gender and racial makeup in its history.

The 2020 municipal election that ushered in Martinez and Burnett also gave the city its first female mayor with Emily Keller taking the helm. Martinez was selected to become mayor after Keller took a position in Gov. Wes Moore's administration at the beginning of the month. Martinez will finish out the rest of Keller's term for the rest of this year and next.

Martinez, becoming emotional at times during a series of council sessions Tuesday afternoon, told her colleagues she appreciated them having confidence in her.

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"I will be looking to you very much so for your leadership and direction," she said.

How was Martinez picked?

Before Martinez was selected, the council met at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to select a temporary chairperson to run the meeting in the absence of a mayor. Councilman Bob Bruchey made a motion to elect Martinez temporary chair and McIntire seconded it. The council unanimously agreed.

The council then went into closed session, with Councilman Kristin Aleshire casting the lone dissenting vote against it.

City Administrator Scott Nicewarner said last week the council planned to go into executive session Tuesday to discuss a selection of mayor.

After the closed-door meeting, Burnett made a motion during a special session to make Martinez mayor effective immediately. Martinez resigned from her council seat and the council accepted it, Burnett said.

The remaining council members unanimously voted for Martinez.

City Administrator Scott Nicewarner had said previously that the decision to pick a mayor would be up to the council, adding that the city charter is "vague" on the process.

He said the council could have appointed someone from among its ranks, name an outsider, or organize an application process.

Regarding the now open seat on council, Aleshire said he anticipates the council taking applications from interested individuals. Then the council will determine who it wants to interview, said Aleshire, who said he hopes the interviews are conducted in an open session.

Martinez and whomever the council picks to replace her will complete the remaining time on their respective terms, which are up for election in 2024.

City Council and mayor are nonpartisan elections.

Martinez's appointment gives Hagerstown chance to 'move forward'

It was a celebratory mood in the council chambers as residents, including many Black residents, friends and family members of Martinez, came to see history being made. Martinez's mother, Delores Martinez, was among those crowding around the new mayor to congratulate her after the meeting.

Delores Martinez said she's been proud of how her daughter has acted with integrity and shown strong communication skills.

Close friend Jessica Scott couldn't believe the moment.

Scott said she came to Hagerstown 30 years ago for a Citicorp job, and she said Blacks lived in a much different environment in the city then. She thought about how it's evolved.

"It's surreal to experience this. It's major. It's major," Scott said.

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"I'm glad to be a resident and experience this."

There were parallels between Hagerstown and the state of Maryland in Martinez's appointment.

Her rise to the top comes after Moore became the first Black governor of Maryland, and Tuesday's meeting also set aside time to commemorate February as Black History Month.

Washington County NAACP President Fred Chavis said the moment was fitting "when history has been made today in Hagerstown."

"Let's move forward," he said.

Nicewarner thought about Martinez's work on the council and said, "It's just amazing where you've come."

McIntire also praised Martinez for her work, and Councilman Bob Bruchey, a former mayor himself, said he was ready to work with Martinez on making Hagerstown a better place.

"I'm sure I don't have to tell you we got plenty of problems we have to deal with. I look forward to focusing on them in the next two years," said Bruchey.

Hotel condemned for code violations, 100 residents forced out

Martinez dove right into the tough stuff, saying Monday's decision by the city to condemn APM Inn and Suites at 431 Dual Highway was "pretty heavy."

City officials condemned the hotel for alleged violations related to fire safety and heating. The hotel's fire alarm system was not operational, the sprinkler system was drained, and temporary heating units were being used that didn't meet city regulations, said Paul Fulk, the city's neighborhood services manager.

Related:Fire sprinkler system at hotel found drained; about 100 guests forced to leave

Fulk said the hotel will remain condemned until the issues are resolved.

Sixty-seven rooms were occupied at the time, meaning about 100 residents were forced from the hotel.

Martinez said a city fire official took her through the building.

"And I was horrified. I was horrified as one who works in a nonprofit and also someone who sits inside city government that we're housing people and children like that," Martinez said.

She praised the city officials and nonprofits who responded to the hotel Monday morning to help those being displaced. Some people stay at the hotel for long periods and are attracted by its low rates.

Martinez said authorities helped six people at the hotel find permanent housing.

"That couldn't have been done without everyone working together," she said.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Hagerstown mayor seat goes to Councilwoman Tekesha Martinez