There’s a new mayor in town.
Swearing in ceremony, parties afterward laud new Little Rock mayor
Frank D. Scott Jr., Little Rock’s first black mayor brought into office by popular vote, was sworn in during a Jan. 1 event that had so many wanting to attend, it had to be moved to Robinson Center Performance Hall.
The 155th Swearing-In of City of Little Rock Officials also included six city directors who were re-elected in November: Erma Hendrix, Ken Richardson, Kathy Webb, Lance Hines, Doris Wright and B.J. Wyrick.
City Director Gene Fortson welcomed attendees and introduced the directors who were sworn in. Darrell Scott introduced his brother, who’d already been loudly cheered when he set foot onstage and who drew more cheers when he took the mayoral oath of office. Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Alice Gray swore Scott in as he stood with four young cousins and his mother, Brenda D. Scott, who presented him with his pin. The cheers continued as Scott, during his speech, reviewed his decision to run and the high points of his campaign message and theme: “that it was time to unite Little Rock, to create a better Little Rock [so it can] reach its true and full potential.”
The ceremony ended with an eloquent New Year’s Blessing by the Rev. Preston Clegg, senior pastor of Second Baptist Church downtown. Working references to the city’s history and its neighborhoods into his prayer — which also drew cheers — Clegg went through a litany of various problem solutions and progressive benefits the city would, ideally, enjoy under Scott’s leadership. “Frankly, it’s time,” Clegg emphasized.
Afterward, officials and guests packed the ballroom of the Doubletree by Hilton for a reception. They mingled, feasted on heavy hors d’oeuvres, enjoyed entertainment by the G-Music Band, and, once Scott appeared, posed for photos with him. That evening, Scott made another appearance at the People’s Party, a free event taking place in the William Grant Still Ballroom. There, guests partook of a generous buffet and danced to recorded music.