New Bardstown mayor, new city council sworn-in at state park Tuesday

Taking the oath of office, from left, Roland Williams, Bobby Simpson, Fred Hagan, Bill Buckman, Kecia Copeland and Francis Lydian.

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, 7 p.m. — With dozens of family, friends and co-workers looking on, the next mayor of Bardstown and the new Bardstown City Council took their oaths of office Tuesday evening in the Great  Room at My Old Kentucky Home State Park.

Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles C. Simms administered the oath of office to the new council, made up of three incumbents — Roland Williams, Bobby Simpson and Francis Lydian — who were joined by new members Bill Buckman and Kecia Copeland and returning councilman Fred Hagan.

Outgoing Councilman Tommy Reed was elected presiding officer over the special meeting in the absence of Mayor Bill Sheckles.

John Royalty began the special meeting as a member of the council, but ended the meeting as the city’s new mayor following his oath of office.

With his right hand raised, Royalty listened as Simms read the oath, which included the wording that Royalty must not have ever participated or assisted in a duel. Following applause from the crowd, the new mayor was presented with a new gavel and sound block by his daughter.

After the ceremony, Royalty said he and the new council will begin work in January addressing the city’s needs.

“I can see the challenges we’ve had in the past, and we will have to go to work on some things that were left unfinished,” he said.

The city’s interlocal agreements with county government will need to be renegotiated in the coming year, along with issues involving planning and zoning and the city’s sign ordinance, he said. Over the longer term, he said he would like to see the city focus on developing a new source of drinking water.

Citing a campaign promises, Royalty said he plans to have a transparent administration that will serve all the city’s residents.

“I want everyone to understand that I may be mayor, but I work for the citizens of Bardstown,” he said. “I have promised to be transparent, and I will do that.”

NEXT UP. Royalty will begin work on Friday, and the new council’s first regular meeting is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015.

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