City Council honors outgoing mayor, welcomes successor
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com

Staff photo by Benjamin Sharp Outgoing Mayor Bryce Kocian, left, accepts a plaque from his successor, David Samuelson, during a special meeting of the city council on Monday.

Given a standing ovation for 14 years of service to the city of Wharton, outgoing Mayor Bryce Kocian passed the baton to his successor, David Samuelson, during a special meeting of City Council Monday.

Just moments after Samuelson was sworn in as the new mayor by City Attorney Paul Webb, Kocian resigned himself to a seat in the audience. He would stay there only briefly, though, as Samuelson called him back up to the front of council chambers for the presentation of a mayoral plaque.

Samuelson credited Kocian with "turning the city around" when he first arrived on council over a dozen years ago. That included helping the city to regain a position of financial security.

"You came at a time when you were needed. You came when the city was in trouble and you left it in real good shape," Samuelson told Kocian.

"You've been faithful and have dedicated yourself to the city. On behalf of the citizens of Wharton, I'd like to thank you for your service to Wharton."

Kocian credited other council members and area residents with steering the city onto a more favorable course. He encouraged the council to continue that journey.

"Hopefully we have a good thing going here and hopefully it will continue," Kocian said. "I want to thank the council and I want to thank the city staff. We have very dedicated employees that have worked tirelessly to make this city a better place.

"I ask the City Council to keep up the good work."

After presenting the plaque to Kocian, Samuelson's first order of business was to read a proclamation proclaiming May 24 as "Buddy Poppy Day" in the city. Veteran and Wharton High School Air Force JROTC instructor Jimmy Zissa was on hand to receive the proclamation on behalf of area veterans.

Veterans organizations sell the poppies to raise funds for disabled veterans and their families.

Monday's meeting also included the administering of the oath of office to council members Donald Mueller, Lewis Fortenberry Jr. and Dr. Jeff Gubbels.

Gubbels and Fortenberry are new to the council, while Mueller was an incumbent. All three were unopposed in this month's municipal election, with Fortenberry replacing Samuelson at the District 2 seat and Gubbels replacing the At-Large Place 6 seat, which was vacated by Ray Linseisen.

For the mayor's seat, Samuelson beat out fellow Councilman Domingo Montalvo Jr. by a 263 to 202 vote difference. Montalvo, who will retain his At-Large Place 5 seat, was absent from Monday's meeting.

The council on Monday unanimously approved an ordinance accepting the election results.