ODESSA, Texas — Several newly elected City of Odessa leaders were sworn into their positions Tuesday at the Ector County Theatre.
Four of seats on Odessa City Council were up for election this year and the following candidates who won took their oath to become a new member.
Cal Hendrick - Odessa Mayor
Craig Stoker - At-Large
Eddie Mitchell- District 1
Steven P. Thomspon - District 2
The city leaders received standing ovations following the ceremony.
Mayor Cal Hendrick said he wants to hit the ground running as soon as possible.
"We’re going to have a city council meeting next Tuesday, and I think we need to address some issues," Hendrick said. "I think it's not going out of bounds by saying that I think there are contracts the city has entered into recently that are not in the best interest for the city of Odessa. So, we're going to take a look at those contracts and if I believe they're not legal, if they're void as a matter of law, because against public policy...I would entertain a motion to repudiate or cancel those contracts. I don't think you know in the best interest of Odessa."
Mayor Hendrick also shared he will focus on the city’s water, trash, roads, and infrastructures.
During the swearing-in ceremonies for the elected city leaders, Representative Brooks Landgraf offered some pieces of advice as he led the conversation, the first of which was to keep the people of Odessa first.
Councilmember Eddie Mitchell formally ran for a position in city council. This will be his first year fulfilling this role.
“I'm just excited because I’m one of the guys that complains, so now I'm doing something about my complaining. I can get in here and help and get a lot of things changed,” said Councilmember Mitchell.
Councilmember At-Large Craig Stoker is looking forward to having the opportunity to give members of the community a voice on council that may not always have been represented.
“It is very special to me, and I take that very seriously, so I'm excited about that. That's definitely one of my goals and really to show up and assure city staff that that I also have their interests at heart and want to make sure that they are valued," said Stoker. "And now this kind of leadership by fear and intimidation is over, that we want to make sure they know they are supported at the highest levels of City Council and that we see them, we honor them, that that I know they've hung in there through a lot of interesting times."
Councilmember Stephen Thompson was readministered the oath of office.
“lts a humbling experience. I can't believe the number of people that showed up today for the swearing-in ceremony. It just shows you how dissatisfied the citizens of Odessa are with the past administration and I’m so glad that people stepped up and voted,” said Councilmember Thompson.
"This Council, I think, will be very aggressive in getting things done and we got some good things done in the last Council don't get me wrong, but there's a lot more today and we're going to work at it hard.”