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Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=Z3R1MNUXSXU

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May roll, please. >> Mayor John Aron Cooper >> here. >> Vice Mayor Chris Mayer >> here. >> Councilman Robert Huard >> here. >> Councilwoman Lisa Burke here. >> Councilwoman Christine Sullivan here. >> City Attorney Nancy Meyer here.

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>> City Manager Don King here. Thank you. Okay, first up is comments from the general public. I don't have any signups. Does anybody like to speak? Okay, seeing none, bring back to our council business. Our item tonight is obviously the swearing ceremony. So, item number one, swearing ceremony of the 414 226 elected candidates. I'll

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pass that to uh our clerk, Miss Ashley Mcdana. >> Miss Christine. Yes. >> All right. If you could raise your right hand and repeat after me. I do solemnly swear >> I do solemnly swear >> that I will support >> that I will support

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>> protect >> protect >> and defend >> and defend >> the Constitution >> the Constitution >> and government >> and government >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the state of Florida >> in the state of Florida >> that I am duly qualified >> that I'm duly qualified >> to hold office

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>> to hold office >> under the Constitution >> under the Constitution >> of the state >> of the state >> and that I will >> and that I will >> well >> well >> and faithfully and faithfully >> perform the duties of council person. >> perform the duties of council person

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>> on excuse me on which now I'm about to enter >> on which now I'm about to enter. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you >> everybody. Councilwoman Christine Sullivan. Mr. If you don't mind there and there and

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I'll come get it after >> go easy on you. >> Please do. >> Raise your right hand and repeat after me. I do solemnly swear >> I do solemnly swear >> that I will >> that I will >> support >> support >> protect >> protect >> and defend >> and defend

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>> the Constitution >> the Constitution >> and the government >> and the government >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the state of Florida >> and the state of Florida >> that I am duly qualified >> I am duly qualified >> to hold office >> to hold office >> under the Constitution >> under the Constitution >> of the state

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>> of the state >> and that I will >> and that I will >> well >> well >> and faithfully >> and faithfully perform the duties of mayor. >> perform the duties of mayor >> on which I am now about to enter. >> on which I am now about to enter. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations.

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If you can sign there and there. >> Is it working for you? Make sure your copy. Okay. >> So, good evening everyone. Thank you so much for being here tonight. I'm filled with gratitude. Gratitude for the continued faith, trust, and confidence that the residents of Fort Richie have

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placed in me. Being entrusted to serve this city once was an honor, but being entrusted to serve it again is deeply humbling and it strengthens my commitment to work even harder for all of us who call this community home. This moment is not just about an election, is about responsibility. Responsibility to

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listen, to lead, to bring people together, and to continue moving our city forward with purpose. I want to take a moment to recognize my opponent, Linda Rodriguez, and thank her for stepping forward to serve and for her commitment to our community. That willingness to serve matters because strong communities are built by people

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who care enough to get involved. With that being said, the focus of tonight is unity. If we are truly going to make meaningful progress, the kind of progress that improves lives and strengthens our city, it will not happen because of one mayor or one council member. It will happen because a community rallies together with shared

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pride, shared responsibility, and shared determination. Over the past few years, we have proven that progress is possible. Together, we have unlocked millions of dollars in appropriations by actively engaging in the legislative process. And we have built strong local, regional, state, and federal partnerships that are standing with us

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and supporting our city as we move forward. Those achievements did not happen by chance. They happened because we worked together, stayed engaged, and believed in what this city can accomplish. But let me be clear, the work is not finished. In many ways, we're just getting started. The

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opportunities ahead of us are significant, but so are the challenges. Meeting those challenges will require unity, not just in words, but in action. It will require residents who stay engaged and businesses that stay invested. Most importantly, it requires leaders who stay focused on doing what

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is right for the community as a whole. This next term is about building stronger relationships, building smarter solutions, and building a future that reflects the pride we all feel in calling the city home. So, tonight, I'm asking every resident to be a part of that effort. Get involved. Stay engaged.

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Share your ideas. Support your neighbors. Take pride in your city. Because when a community stands together, there is no limit to what you can accomplish. Before I close, I want to express my heart heartfelt gratitude to the many people who made this journey possible. To my friends, colleagues,

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supporters, donors, and those who endorse me. Thank you for believing in me, standing beside me, and putting your trust in my leadership. Your encouragement, support mean more to me than I can fully express, and I will work tirelessly to continue earning that trust. To my mom and dad watching from

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home, I love you. Thank you for raising me with the values that guide me every day. Your love and support have shaped who I am, and I'm forever grateful. To my wife, Amanda, I love you so much. Thank you for your strength, your patience, your unwavering support. The sacrifice you make allowing me to serve this community is beyond generous. You

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are my foundation, and I could not do this without you. And above all, I thank God for allowing me the opportunity to serve and for the strength, wisdom, and humility to lead with integrity and purpose. Let me close with this. The future of our city will not be defined by obstacles. It will be defined by

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opportunity. Not by division, but by unity, not by hesitation, but by action. The best days of Fort Richie are not behind us. They are still ahead of us. If we stand together, if we work together, if we believe in what this city can become, then there is absolutely nothing that will stop us

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from building a stronger, prder, and more vibrant Fort Richie for generations to come. Thank you. God bless you. God bless Port Richie. Okay. Next up is item number two, election of vice mayor. >> I'd like to make a nomination. >> Okay. >> I'd like to nominate this mayor for vice

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mayor. >> Okay. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Got second. Any further discussion? Any public comment? Seeing none, I put the vote. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. And that

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concludes our council business. Look for a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Motion. >> Thank you for your trust in me. >> Yeah. Did you want me to comment? >> No, I just wanted to say thank you for allowing me to serve the city of uh the city here. It's been an honor of my life, too. So, thank you. >> Absolutely. And appreciate you stepping

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up and serving. Sorry. >> All right. With that, put a vote on fif saying I. >> I. I.