Swearing-in ceremony held for Winston-Salem City Council members

New members of the Winston-Salem City Council were sworn in this week during a ceremony at City Hall. 

Three new representatives took identical oaths administered by local justices during a meeting Monday night, including Regina Ford Hall. Hall is replacing Council Member Jeff MacIntosh, who stepped down after 12 years representing the Northwest Ward. Vivian Joiner and Scott Andree-Bowen were also sworn in for the first time — they’ll represent the South and Southwest Wards, respectively. 

Andree-Bowen is taking the reins from Kevin Mundy, who served a single term on Council.  Mundy is currently being sued for defamation by incumbent Council Member Barbara Hanes Burke.

In a complaint filed last week, Burke alleges Mundy falsely accused her of illegally attempting to control housing development plans in her ward, among other things. Mundy has told media outlets his comments were accurate, and that the suit may “discourage other whistleblowers.” 

The controversy was not addressed during Monday’s meeting. Instead, Mayor Allen Joines struck a hopeful note during his congratulatory speech to the new council members:

“There's a lot of work to be done," he said.  "But I think we've got the horsepower and the right people in the right places to make things happen.”

Each new member will serve a four-year term.