New Boston said goodbye to a long-time councilman, honored a local police officer and installed the recently elected council members in the regular meeting of the New Boston City Council last week.
“It’s a little bittersweet because Jackie Laney has served this community for, well we couldn’t find out how many years. We did all kinds of research and nobody could come up with an exact date of when he was elected and when he came on the council. But, as long as I can remember a city council in the city of New Boston, Jackie Laney has been a part of it,” said Mayor Ron Humphrey.
Laney said he made the decision to retire from the city council and not seek reelection this year.
Humphrey presented Laney with a plaque and read a prepared statement to honor the years of service from the eldest councilman.
“Your consistent efforts and commitment to the well being of our community have been invaluable. Your dedication has not only contributed to the success of our city, but it also set a standard of integrity and hard work that has encouraged those around you. Through your tenure, you have witnessed and contributed to the success story of our community,” Humphrey said.
Laney has also served as a member of the New Boston Volunteer Fire Department for several decades.
The council and New Boston Police Chief Garry Mc-Crarry also honored Officer Russell Anderson for actions that saved the life of a female victim of assault.
Anderson responded to a call in March when he located the victim and a small child who had been assaulted. Anderson arrested the suspect and was able to transport the child to the hospital.
“Although Officer Anderson was quick to react in getting the small child to the hospital, the child did not survive due to the extent of (their) injuries. Without Officer Anderson’s quick response, two lives could have been lost,” read Pollyanna Moore, city secretary, from a prepared statement.
Anderson was presented with a special commendation.
Additionally, the recently elected members of the council were sworn in by Judge Stephen Young.
Rob Carr and Jeffery Thompson retained their seats while Michael Foster replaced the outgoing Laney.
Carr was also elected as the mayor pro tem in a four to one decision by the council.
In other business, the council adopted a resolution urging for congressional support to keep Red River Army Depot in full operation and Kayla Simmons was named to the city’s hotel motel committee as president of the New Boston Chamber of Commerce.
Red River Army Depot is facing a possible reduction in force and municpalities and organizations all across the region are rallying to support them.
