The city of Fallon held a ceremony Jan. 7 to administer a renewed oath of office to Mayor Ken Tedford and Councilwoman Karla Kent in the courtyard behind City Hall in front of a small crowd.
District Attorney Art Mallory led the Pledge of Allegiance, Summer Stanton sang the national anthem, Pastor Brennen Behimer of Parkside Bible Fellowship led the audience in the Invocation, Honorable Municipal Court Judge Michael R. Lister administered the oaths of office and Pastor Russell Hucks of New Beginnings Community Church gave the Benediction.
A reception was held after the ceremony.
In November Tedford defeated two opponents to begin his 30th year as Fallon’s mayor. Kent ran unopposed to win her second term on the council. Tedford said that the ceremony was scheduled early in the morning so that, as per city ordinance, they could be sworn in prior to the first city council meeting of the year at 9 a.m.
Ali Tedford Connors, one of his daughters, held the Bible on which Tedford placed his left hand as he repeated the oath administered by Honorable Municipal Court Judge Michael R. Lister. Sons Kenny Tedford III, Dylan Tedford and son-in-law Calvin Connors also joined him up front.
Tedford thanked his family and the many people with whom he has collaborated during his tenure.
“Our goal has been over this period of time to think and plan and build ahead for 25 years in striving to make Churchill County a safer, healthy and more prosperous, family-friendly environment for all of our residents,” Tedford said. “I pledge to the citizens of Fallon to do my very best.”
He mentioned that in the next four years the city will be 117 and the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday.
“I assure you I will continue the legacy of the 13 mayors who preceded me to provide the citizens the most efficient, cost effective and highest level of essential services, public safety, reliable electricity, water, sewer and sanitation, while still supporting our youth and senior citizens and creating economic development, thereby enriching the quality of life,” Tedford said.
After taking her oath also by placing her left hand on a Bible held by Councilwoman Kelly Frost along with Councilman Paul Harmon and Tedford, Kent thanked the mayor, city staff, cabinet and everyone who had answered her questions and guided her over the past term. She also thanked the constituents for re-electing her and for reaching out to her with questions and concerns.
“It’s the way I learned the most,” she said. “I am very honored to serve as your Councilwoman Ward 2 for the next four years.”