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| Mayor Robert McCraight |
After opening remarks from several local dignitaries, 34th District Court Judge Lisa Martin administered the oath of office to city council members John Barden; Virginia Williams; Tina M. Talley; William J. Wadsworth; Celeste Roscoe; Kathy Abdo and Eva Webb. All are incumbents. Judge Tina Brooks-Green officiated at the swearing in of incumbent City Clerk Ellen Craig-Bragg who was unopposed in her bid for a fourth term in office, and incumbent city Treasurer Stacy Paige.
Newly-elected Mayor Robert McCraight was sworn into office by Brian Oakley, chief judge at the 34th District Court in Romulus.
Each of the newly-elected officials spoke to the large crowd, thanking their families and their supporters and campaign workers and giving credit to the voters who cast their ballots for them. Each of them also lauded outgoing Mayor LeRoy Burcroff for his 24 years of service to the community. Burcroff opted not to seek reelection this year.
Wadsworth, the longest-serving member of the city council, who was first elected in 1983, said that as the campaign was over, “It is now time to do the people's work.”
McCraight, after thanking his wife for her support, told the assembled crowd that the officials had not been chosen for personal agendas but had been chosen to find common ground and help work in the community to achieve the full potential of the city.
“The officials have been chosen to strive to better your community to work together to provide the best quality of life possible for residents,” he said. This was McCraight's first bid for elected office after a 20-year career with the city. He was formerly the chief building officer and director of public services and economic development for the city. He also served as the administrative liaison to the planning commission, the zoning board of appeals, the Downtown Development Authority and the Tax Increment Financing Authority Director.
McCraight won the mayoral election with 2,483 votes or 59 percent of the votes cast. He defeated former Mayor Alan R. Lambert who received a total of 1,732 votes, or 41 percent of the total.
He told the crowd that the city was beginning a new vision process as the needs and wants of the city change. He said he and his administration would be looking for help and for volunteers to serve in the community.
“This is not my vision, not the council's vision, it is your vision. Where do you want the city to go. Romulus is the home of opportunity,” he said, “but it must be the home of opportunity for everybody. We are a diverse community, we have always been, but we can become an example for the nation,” he said.
McCraight closed his remarks with a pledge to operate in an open and transparent manner and concluded by telling the crowd, “I plan to exceed your expectations during the next four years.”
