05-04-2009, 10:01 PM
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1558432,5_1_WA05_SABU_S1.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... S1.article</a><!-- m -->
There is video at the link but when you click on it, it goes to a dogs in prison video. Maybe they'll fix that later. All in all sounds like a wonderful evening and our new mayor is hitting the ground running.
Color commentary anyone that was there?
Sabonjian's in charge
May 5, 2009
By DAN MORAN <!-- e --><a href="mailto:dmoran@scn1.com">dmoran@scn1.com</a><!-- e -->
WAUKEGAN -- Ten minutes into his final City Council meeting as mayor, Richard Hyde came to the last item on his agenda -- appointing Artis Yancey chief of police -- and looked over at his successor.
"Bob, it's getting close," Hyde said. "It's getting close."
» Click to enlarge image
New Waukegan Mayor Bob Sabonjian gets a hug from his mother, Lorene, after being sworn in Monday at City Hall. At right is Newton Finn, Sabonjianâs choice for city attorney.
(Michael Schmidt/News-Sun)
» Click to enlarge image
Outgoing Mayor Richard Hyde applauds new Police Chief Artis Yancey.
RELATED STORIES
⢠Video: Waukegan's New Mayor
After Yancey's appointment was approved by unanimous vote, it was time for Bob Sabonjian to become mayor of Waukegan.
When his name was called by City Clerk Wayne Motley, Sabonjian walked to the front of the chamber, shook hands with Hyde and took the oath of office.
"It's a new day. It's a new way of doing things," said Sabonjian after taking time to shake hands with each alderman and accept an embrace from, among other people, his mother, Lorene, wife of longtime former mayor Robert Sabonjian.
The moment of local history drew a standing ovation from an overflow crowd in the council chambers, with some 220 people packed inside and dozens more watching on hallway monitors.
The gathering was heavy with Sabonjian supporters, with more than 50 seats reserved for friends and family of the incoming mayor. Local political figures on hand included Lake County Board members Mary Ross Cunningham, Angelo Kyle and Audrey Nixon, and state Rep. Eddie Washington, D-Waukegan.
Sabonjian's first order of business was to present an award of appreciation to Hyde, honoring him for his career as an educator, administrator and legislator.
"Thank you for your 24 years of service to the city of Waukegan," said Sabonjian, reading from a plaque, "and for your unwavering commitment to the residents of Waukegan."
Hyde gave brief farewell remarks, saying his total years of overlapping public service amounted to 87.
"You always look for the end, and the end comes sooner than you think," Hyde said. "I want to just thank the people of Waukegan. I've enjoyed every minute of it -- all 87 years."
Sabonjian then moved on to more weighty matters, reappointing aldermen to their committee chairmanships and announcing that he wants to form an economic development and marketing committee.
Next, he called the aldermen into closed session to discuss personnel matters, a move that ended with the first notable move of his administration: upon emerging from a half-hour behind closed doors, Sabonjian called for the appointment of Newton Finn as corporation counsel, replacing Brian Grach.
Finn's appointment was approved by a unanimous vote, and he took his seat at Sabonjian's side.
The new mayor did not announce any other appointments, as was the case when Dan Drew and Hyde began their terms.
Sabonjian said the appointment of Finn was "part of the series of changes that will be coming that will benefit the entire community in the coming months."
There is video at the link but when you click on it, it goes to a dogs in prison video. Maybe they'll fix that later. All in all sounds like a wonderful evening and our new mayor is hitting the ground running.
Color commentary anyone that was there?
Sabonjian's in charge
May 5, 2009
By DAN MORAN <!-- e --><a href="mailto:dmoran@scn1.com">dmoran@scn1.com</a><!-- e -->
WAUKEGAN -- Ten minutes into his final City Council meeting as mayor, Richard Hyde came to the last item on his agenda -- appointing Artis Yancey chief of police -- and looked over at his successor.
"Bob, it's getting close," Hyde said. "It's getting close."
» Click to enlarge image
New Waukegan Mayor Bob Sabonjian gets a hug from his mother, Lorene, after being sworn in Monday at City Hall. At right is Newton Finn, Sabonjianâs choice for city attorney.
(Michael Schmidt/News-Sun)
» Click to enlarge image
Outgoing Mayor Richard Hyde applauds new Police Chief Artis Yancey.
RELATED STORIES
⢠Video: Waukegan's New Mayor
After Yancey's appointment was approved by unanimous vote, it was time for Bob Sabonjian to become mayor of Waukegan.
When his name was called by City Clerk Wayne Motley, Sabonjian walked to the front of the chamber, shook hands with Hyde and took the oath of office.
"It's a new day. It's a new way of doing things," said Sabonjian after taking time to shake hands with each alderman and accept an embrace from, among other people, his mother, Lorene, wife of longtime former mayor Robert Sabonjian.
The moment of local history drew a standing ovation from an overflow crowd in the council chambers, with some 220 people packed inside and dozens more watching on hallway monitors.
The gathering was heavy with Sabonjian supporters, with more than 50 seats reserved for friends and family of the incoming mayor. Local political figures on hand included Lake County Board members Mary Ross Cunningham, Angelo Kyle and Audrey Nixon, and state Rep. Eddie Washington, D-Waukegan.
Sabonjian's first order of business was to present an award of appreciation to Hyde, honoring him for his career as an educator, administrator and legislator.
"Thank you for your 24 years of service to the city of Waukegan," said Sabonjian, reading from a plaque, "and for your unwavering commitment to the residents of Waukegan."
Hyde gave brief farewell remarks, saying his total years of overlapping public service amounted to 87.
"You always look for the end, and the end comes sooner than you think," Hyde said. "I want to just thank the people of Waukegan. I've enjoyed every minute of it -- all 87 years."
Sabonjian then moved on to more weighty matters, reappointing aldermen to their committee chairmanships and announcing that he wants to form an economic development and marketing committee.
Next, he called the aldermen into closed session to discuss personnel matters, a move that ended with the first notable move of his administration: upon emerging from a half-hour behind closed doors, Sabonjian called for the appointment of Newton Finn as corporation counsel, replacing Brian Grach.
Finn's appointment was approved by a unanimous vote, and he took his seat at Sabonjian's side.
The new mayor did not announce any other appointments, as was the case when Dan Drew and Hyde began their terms.
Sabonjian said the appointment of Finn was "part of the series of changes that will be coming that will benefit the entire community in the coming months."