Mayor John Smith plans to keep all of his campaign promises.
The new mayor was sworn in at the Manawa Common Council’s reorganizational meeting on Tuesday, April 16.
“People aren’t happy with where we are now,” Smith said. “I’m looking forward to moving ahead.
“The competition is over. Now we need to get back to our regular lives and work together for the betterment of our city.”
“I’m not a half-full guy,” he said. “I’m a half-empty guy looking to fill my glass up.”
Smith wants to make some changes, including calling for roll call votes on every motion.
“I think it’s fair to our voters to know how we vote,” he said.
Smith also wants the council to start meeting in the big meeting room instead of the council room.
“We need to meet in the other room at a table where we can all face the audience,” he said. “It’s a matter of respect.”
He also plans to host quarterly city hall meetings and be in the mayor’s office every morning and some afternoons. He expects to be in the office by 9:30 a.m. daily.
One council member voiced an objection to Smith’s comment during the mayoral debate concerning the absence of council members ‘because they don’t care.’
Smith apologized for the comment.
“I’m going to make mistakes – we all do,” he said. “In times of competition, things get said.”
“We have a long road ahead of us,” Smith concluded. “I think it’s going to turn out great.”