Chester City Council gave the stakeholders and residents of the city a glimpse of democracy in action, and if this is any indication of what the future holds, then maybe elected officials can work together for the betterment of the residents and business owners, reaching the end goal of emerging from receivership.
On January 1, 2024, Mayor Stephan Roots took the oath of office, administered by childhood friend and former Chester High School classmate Magisterial Justice James H. Morgan, with his wife, Marcy holding the Bible, Mayor Roots was sworn in–as former Mayor Kirkland’s term ended December 31, 2023. It’s common knowledge and good business to never leave an organization rudderless.
anuary 2, 2024, Mayor Roots welcomed new councilmembers, Tameka Gibson and Fred Green, along with the new City Comptroller Joy Taylor, all of whom were sworn in by Magisterial District Judge Dawn Vann.
Sitting on Council until Monday, Roots called a brief closed-door session with the new members before they voted to appoint Shy’Quan Davis to fulfill the remainder of Roots’ term over two other candidates, Andrew Nelson and Christopher Garrett. All candidates’ credentials were exemplary. Roots voted no to the appointment of Davis and was outvoted on the appointment of Sean Kilkenny as City Solicitor–at which time Green motioned to re-appoint Solicitor Ken Schuster. The motion passed 4-1. Voting on an assistant solicitor was tabled, and Council will issue a request for proposals on that position. The appearance of the plaque bearing Davis’ name as he took his seat indicated the appointment was imminent as well as signaling divisions within the new administration.
A poignant moment arose when Davis was sworn in by his father, Magisterial District Justice Wilden Horace Davis. The elder Davis said, “Let me be the first to say, while I have this opportunity, that the city is in great hands—great hands—and the constituents are in great are in great hands.”
Roots appointed Councilwoman Portia West as Deputy Mayor. West is the elder stateswoman on a new council.
City Clerk Candice Newsome was unanimously reappointed to her office, and Joan Neal was appointed as Assistant City Clerk.
Tensions rose when Roots appointed veteran councilwoman Portia West to continue as director of public works, declining to appoint anyone else to directorships, citing a decision by Commonwealth Court Judge Ellen Ceisler that would allow state-appointed receiver Michael Doweary to remove councilmembers from their positions and replace them with seasoned professionals. Kirkland and other city officials appealed that ruling to the state court where it remains pending.
Reading from a portion of the city’s Home Rule Charter, West stated that the mayor “may” assign each council member to be a department head. It doesn’t say he had the sole power to do so. West said there’s nothing under the charter or administrative stopping Council from simply designating its own members as department heads in any other position other than the director of public affairs, which is specifically carved out for the mayor.
The department heads line up as follows:
Councilwoman and Deputy Mayor Portia West, Director of Streets and Public Improvement, Councilman Fred Green, Director of Parks and Public Property, Councilwoman Tameka Gibson, Director of Public Safety, and Councilman Shy’Quan Davis, Director of Accounts and Finance.
The department heads line up as follows:
Councilwoman and Deputy Mayor Portia West, Director of Streets and Public Improvement, Councilman Fred Green, Director of Parks and Public Property, Councilwoman Tameka Gibson, Director of Public Safety, and Councilman Shy’Quan Davis, Director of Accounts and Finance.
Roots said, “I’m humbled, honored, excited, ambitious, and ready to go to work. There’s a rookie mayor, three rookie councilmembers, and a veteran councilmember. That’s a lot for a town in the shape we’re in right now. So, I’m really counting on the residents of Chester to help out.”
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