Rist sworn in as city's new mayor; Schroeder, Anderson join council

Wednesday, January 16, 2008
New mayor Tom Rist wears in city clerk Nina Patterson as the new council took office Monday

Monday's meeting of the Mountain Home City Council featured a changing of the guard at city hall with the official swearing in of new Mayor Tom Rist and new city councilmen Geoff Schroeder and Russ Anderson.

The meeting also marked the final day of the tenures for Councilman Mark Russell and Mayor Joe B. McNeal.

During his final meeting, McNeal wore a "I Love Mountain Home" button.

Mayor Rist introduced new Police Chief John Walter

After regular city council matters were handled, Rist presented Mark Russell and Mayor McNeal with plaques from the city, thanking them for their time in office.

Russell thanked his wife, Lisa, and his two sons, Nick and Mike, for their "love and support" during his term in office. Russell also gave thanks to the city staff and to the citizens of Mountain Home. "Without you none of us would be here," said Russell.

Russell concluded by wishing "good luck and God speed" to McNeal and the new city council members.

In presenting McNeal with his plaque, Rist noted that "I would like to thank Joe for how gracious he was in accepting what took place in this election." said Rist.

Rist commended McNeal on helping with the transition into the mayor's office, "He has been a tremendous help and I appreciate that."

The council members were all given a chance to comment on the occasion,

"This is a bittersweet moment. We have some good friends and able bodies going in and good friends and able bodies going out," said City Councilwoman Alain Isaac.

In regards to Russell, Isaac said, "On behalf of the city of Mountain Home, we will miss you terribly."

And in regards to McNeal, Isaac said, "In these four years, it's been a pleasure to have served with you."

Councilman Richard Urquidi told Russell, "it's been a pleasure, looking down the far end of the seats at you." Urquidi then wished Russell luck in his future endeavors.

Urquidi also recognized McNeal, mentioning how in his four years he has enjoyed working with him and how much he has learned from him. Urquidi then wished McNeal luck in his future endeavors as well.

McNeal was given time to offer his own departing comments,

"I want to wish Mayor-elect Rist and his wife, Shirley, the best of luck. Thank you to my campaign team for all their hard work. My heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the people of Mountain Home for giving me the opportunity to serve the community," said McNeal.

McNeal recognized members of the Council. "Thank you to all, I've learned something from each and every one of you."

McNeal began calling several officials to the stage, including City Clerk Nina Patterson, City Treasurer Leanna Whitney, Fire Department Chief Phil Gridley, Attorneys Jay Friedly and Phil Miller, former Acting Police Chief Julee Bunderson, Public Works Director Wayne Shepherd, City Engineer Mike McCain, Debbie Brito and Parks and Recreation Director Stan Franks.

McNeal acknowledged those individuals, saying, "these are the folks that operate our city and they have done a fantastic job these last four years." In total, McNeal awarded 19 city officials with certificates honoring them for their dedication, their hard work to the city of Mountain Home and the support of the mayor's office.

After each recipient received the award, McNeal said, "I want to thank each and every one of you for the hard work you put in."

McNeal was overcome with emotion as he continued with his speech.

"Thank you to my son, my wife, all my grandkids and all of my daughters for their prayers, hard work and for their love and support.

McNeal recognized a special individual in the audience, his wife, Mildred.

"I want to thank my beautiful wife, of 53 years. Thank you for your love and support. This beautiful lady saw something in me, that no else saw. She has given me 5 beautiful children. She has made all kinds of personal sacrifices to make me the man that I am today and I thank God for making her for me. Thank you."

With that the first portion of the meeting was adjourned sine die, and Mayor McNeal's and Councilman Mark Russell's tenures had come to an end.

Mayor Tom Rist and City Councilman Russ Anderson and Geoff Schroeder were then officially sworn in.

Following their oaths of office, Schroeder and Anderson thanked their families for their support and addressed the viewing audience,

"I'm very excited for this opportunity and I'm ready to go," said Anderson.

"I look forward to bringing some insight and another set of eyes for this process," said Schroeder.

Following Rist's oath, Rist introduced his family members in attendance, then addressed the audience.

"I'm looking forward to the next four years with great excitement and enthusiasm. I'm extremely excited to work with the new council members and veterans, together we can all move forward. I can tell the community has very high expectations for they want us to do for the next four years and I don't want to let them down," said Rist.

Rist recognized two individuals who have been important parts of his life, former Mayor Don Etter and John Bermensolo.

Etter endorsed Rist to be on the Planing/Zoning Commission, then from there endorsed Rist to be on the city council. "I hope that I can be half the mayor that he was," said Rist.

Rist commented on Bermensolo, who passed away during the recent elections. "He was a dear friend, and I miss him tremendously."

Rist recognized his wife, Shirley, as the, "driving force behind me sitting here right now."

Rist began his first act as the new mayor by appointing new council and department officials. After a motion made by Isaac, Urquidi was elected as the 2008 City Council President. When the motion was being passed, Rist jokingly said, "Will you agree to this Councilman Urquidi?" who was the last to vote.

Rist began the oaths of office for the department heads, headlined by new Police Chief John Walter. Rist officially swore in City Clerk Nina Patterson and Patterson swore in the remaining department head candidates.

Of Chief Walter, Rist noted, "the caliber of people that we interviewed for this job was phenomenal, and John topped them all."

The council appointed new liaisons, which included Urquidi as the Art Council liaison and Issac as the Military liaison. With those appointments made the meeting was adjourned.

"I'm ready to do the work and I'm eager to get started," said Schroeder, following the meeting.

"I just want to thank Mountain Home for giving me the opportunity to serve the community and I look forward to the next meeting," added Anderson.

"I'm very excited to work with these new city council members and I look forward to great things with this new council," said Rist.

"I look forward to the next two years that I am on. There is a lot of things than I know we can accomplish and I wish the best for our new council and our new mayor," said Urquidi.

"We've got a strong council. The mayor is committed to a lot of the values that the council is based on. I feel the next four years are going to be very productive," said Isaac.

"I feel comfortable that Mountain Home is left in very capable hands. I believe the city is headed in a positive direction," said Russell.

Russell plans on working with Tom Luna, the state Superintendant of Public Instruction. He said that he also looks forward to get more involved with community organizations and to spend more time with his family.

In attendance for the meeting was Rist's family members, his wife Shirley, his daughter Kasie Curry, his granddaughter McKenzie, and his sister-in-law Beverly Hexum, Mildred McNeal, and several local dignitaries, which included Sgt. Rick Viola and Melanie Rhodes (MHPD), Chamber President Albert Clement and Col. James Browne, commander of the 366th Fighter Wing at MHAFB.

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