Thank you everybody and welcome to the reorganization meeting of mayor and council held a Friday January 2nd 2026 starting at 5:43. Council members McAllen and Guzman out the hallway. All right.
Could you council council woman council president could you please escort them in? Escort in counciloman delray con and her family please. Could you please escort everybody? Council President,
Councilman Guzman, could you please escort Counciloman Delray Cohen and her husband Jason Could you please escort council elect Dennis Mison and his wife Jennifer to It will be my privilege. Mayor, um
before I I do so, I just want to take two minutes of privilege to to say a few words. Um first of all, happy new year everyone. This is, you know, reorganization season for me is like the like the best days of the entire year because it's a day where we we turn the
page and we we start a new and we welcome new faces to the board. Dennis, welcome. Um we we welcome back others but all of us re-energized by the fact that we just had an intense conversation with the voters. And so I I will tell
you no one works harder than these two who are reelected elected and reelected this year. Um Christie, your authenticity, your integrity, your strength and really your passion that you have to serve. I could not be, you
know, I I I think of that Ruth Bader Ginsburg quote of, you know, fight for the things you believe in, but do so in a way that makes others want to follow. You make others want to follow, and you are going to be you're not just an example for your kids
and your and your family, but for the entire community about what dedication and commitment and intellect looks like in this chair. And Dennis, you are amazing, too. I don't know you quite as well yet. I look forward to getting to know. So, but I, as we shle stuffed animals out of New York City to donate
to food pantries this, you know, this holiday season, I know you have such a heart and love for this town, and I'm so excited to welcome you. But Christie, get this show on the road and welcome your family up here to hold this Bible. Follow
me. the Council McGown, can you please administer the oath of office? Council electone. Where are you? President will now acknowledge all our
dignitaries in attendance. >> Good evening everyone and thank you for being with us. Uh first I'd like to just thank everyone for their attendance and sharing in this day with us. Um I'd like to acknowledge all the dignitaries who are in the room and then we will ask for a few of them to come up and share some
words of celebration on this wonderful reorganization day for uh it is our honor to acknowledge and thank in their attendance Congresswoman Nelly Poe District 36 State Senator Paul Sarlo Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco
from the Bergen County Commissioners Chairwoman Mary Amaroso, Tracy Zur, Germaine Ortiz, Tom Sullivan, Steve Tanelli, Joan Voss,
and Raphael Marte, Bergen County Democratic Chair Paul Giuliano, Municipal Democratic Chairwoman and former mayor of Rutherford, Bernardet McFersonson, Former Rutherford Mayor Glenn Elliott,
Former Councilman Tom Mley, former Councilman Mark Goldsac. There's a lot of people on this list. My apologies. Pastor Annie Allen, Pastor Shawn Pete representing the Women's Empowered
Democratic Organization of Bergen County. Julie O'Brien representing Elect Women New Jersey. Board member Mary Nolles. A few more. Hang on. In attendance this evening, members of the Rutherford Board of Education,
President Sergio Lahi, Diane Jones, Chris Kanti, Christina Cole, Greg Rine, and Dennis Healey.
Also in attendance this evening, we'd like to acknowledge Rutherford Police Chief John Russo, Deputy Chief Sean Farrell, our burough administrator Bob Kalleski,
Burough Clerk Missy Scandlin, Rutherford's OEM coordinator, Mike Tarantino. We'd also like to acknowledge the numerous members of the Rutherford Democratic County Committee in attendance this evening. Feel free to clap. That's good.
We'd also like to acknowledge and thank for their attendance members of the Rutherford Scouts 166G. At this time, we would like to invite up Congresswoman Nelly Po. Happy new year. It is my father.
I know Happy new year. >> Thank you, Congresswoman. Next, we'd like to invite up District 36, State 8 Senator Paul Slo for a few words. >> Thank you. Uh, and good evening everybody. Happy healthy uh, new year
first of all to our ticket that just got elected, Councilwoman Delray Cohen. Councilman Mone, the people of Rutherford could not have asked for a better ticket. Uh, a ticket that is so educated, so energetic, so
compassionate on all the issues involved in Rutherford. So, you're all truly blessed to have this ticket elect reelected and elected uh to join this amazing council behind me and and it's always good to see you mayor, your
attorney to to to councelor Bruno and everybody here. I will just say this, what a great turnout of not just dignitaries. Uh we have so many uh amazing public servants and elected officials here. Uh I've been coming to Rutherford for for many many years uh
for their annual reorganization meetings and and some days it was cold and snowy and it was quite quiet in this room. Uh no more. Rutherford is on the map and Rutherford is one of the premier municipalities we have not just in District 36 but in Bergen County and
it's going to continue to continue to prosper and grow with the leadership of the folks behind me. They got to continue to work together, collaborate, and communicate. They have a great police chief. They have great public works. They got a great volunteer fire department. Love this community. Um,
except when Woodri plays Rutherford. I always tell you that. Uh, usually I'm on the losing end of it, but uh, God bless Rutherford. We love you. >> Thank you, Senator. >> Thank you, Senator. We'd like to invite
up Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco. Thank you, Madame President. Um, and uh, good evening folks from Rutherford and around the county that have joined us. Uh, Christine and Dennis, congratulations um, on your re-election and your
election. Um Stephanie talked about people um and the tenor of where we are today and how people aren't stepping up and how people aren't volunteering and things like
that. And today is a perfect example of two people stepping up and wanting to help their community and wanting to make their community a better place. And in doing so, you make Burden County a better place. I always talk about how
the county is part of the 70 communities here in Bergen County and as well as the 70 communities do, Bergen County does. And that's the beauty of working together with local government. Had the opportunity to sit as a councilman. I've had the opportunity to sit as a mayor. I
understand and know what they do each and every day. sitting here at the county working with them, making sure that we deliver the services that you all deserve and that they need to help they need help with. That's what we do
and I'm very honored and pleased to continue to do that on the behalf of the million residents of Bergen County. But tonight, I get to commend and to recognize Christine and Dennis for their reelection and election. And I have
certificates for both of them. Um, and if you both want to come down, I'll give them to you. They're both the same except for one word. Um it it says certificate of commendation in honor of council member
Christine Del Rey Con, council member Dennis Pone in honor and recognition of your election of your reelection to the council for of the Burrow of Rutherford and appreciation of your commitment to the betterment of the Burrow of Rutherford and its residents in the
county of Bergen. Burrow of Rutherford reorganization meeting 2026 January. And it's also my honor to be able to present to you the pin of Bergen County on behalf of the residents of Burton County
and the county executive coin. Thank you. Congratulations on your reelection. Thank you, county executive. Next, we'd like to invite up our commissioner board. Um, chairwoman Mary
Amaroso, commissioners Tracy Zur, Germaine Ortiz, Tom Sullivan, Steve Tanelli, Raphael Marte, Joan Voss. I think I got you all. Everybody come on up. As you can see, we cleared out the county building to be here, and that is
because we love Rutherford. We love being here marching in the parades, raising the gay pride flag. Um I every time I I go around the circle uh in Rutherford, I think this is a metaphor for Rutherford. You somehow figure out
how to flow in and out with getting without getting into crashes. We love you, Rutherford. Uh we feel that um the the the mayor and council are kind of our extended family and this whole terrible difficult election season
we would run into Christy and Dennis and we'd say oh we hope you win and we hope we win. We hope you win. Uh and you won. So we are here to recognize you to commend you. I have a certificate for our friend Christie
and Tom Sullivan has one. >> No, I know. Dennis, you can come down, too. Oh, yeah, you are. Okay. So, unlike Mary, I don't get lost going through traffic circles, but that's all right. We do we do call her Mrs. Mcoo,
but that's okay. It's really, it was great getting to know you, Dennis, during this campaign. You're definitely the kind of guy you want to hang out with. I mean, you're just going to events. You're just a regular guy. I could see why the the uh burrow elected you. Um it's an honor for
us to present this to you on behalf of the entire board. We wish you nothing but success and um you do got to, you know, pick up your dance steps next to Christie because she, you know, that's where she excels over everybody. So, this is on behalf of uh the Bergen
County Commissioners. We wish you nothing but the best. It just basically says an honor and recognition for all your hard work and we know you're going to do great for the 1 million residents of Bergen County. Thank you. >> Thank you to the mayor and council for allowing us.
>> Thank you, commissioners. Mayor, I believe that are those that is the last uh series of dignitaries to speak this evening and we are ready to continue with the program. >> Thank you, Council President. You guys are going to crop out Tom,
right? started. Missy, could you please read the role? >> I'm here. >> Councilman Kley >> here. Council >> McGawan >> present. Councilman Ero >> here. >> Guzman >> here. Delic
>> here. >> Councilman Zone >> here. >> Thank you. I'm now going to ask Mimi Khan of Troop 166G to come up and lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Please rise and and please join me in
the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the stand. >> Thank you, Mimi. Could you please read the provisions? >> In compliance with the open public
meetings law, chapter 231, public laws of 1975, notice of this meeting was transmitted to the record in Herald News and filed with the burough clerk on November 21, 2025 is posted on the bulletin board outside of Burough Hall. >> Thank you. Mean Missy, I now invite up
Reverend P Reverend Annie Allen as the pastor of the Rutherford Congregational Church. >> Thank you, Mayor. Good evening every Good evening everyone. >> Good evening. >> For those of you who are so inclined,
please pray with me. God of all people and all creation, we thank you for the opportunity to gather in this hall of democracy. We thank you for the state of New Jersey that we have the right to vote for our
representatives, not just the privileged few, but all of us irrespective of our races, our nationalities, our genders, our religion. We thank you for those gathered here that exercised that right
to vote and all others in bur in the burrow of Rutherford who exercised their right to vote for the candidates of their choices that turned into this beautiful evening with
our victories tonight. We voted not because we have a perfect union, but because we have faith in a better and brighter future. We ask that your spirit fill this room and to every heart, mind, and soul
present here today. May this meeting be filled with your peace, wisdom, and grace. Bless all who serve our community. The entire council, our police, fire, first
responders, our department directors, and burrow employees. We ask a special blessing on my friend, Councilwoman Delray Conn, who has proven her commitment to this community in
countless ways over and over again. And we ask a blessing on our newly elected Councilman Dennis Mazone. May he govern with wisdom and compassion in his term ahead.
Lord, lastly, we ask you to give favor upon this body. May they lead us into the future we all desire and always serve for the common good. Give them courage to stand even when it's not
possible. Give them wisdom and insight to make fair and just decisions. Give them vision to see all that our community can be. Give them hearts of
compassion to remember those who are the least of these. May their leadership and efforts maintain and improve the rich quality of life that we enjoy here in Rutherford. And may their prosperity
extend to all of our residents. For all that is good, true, and just we pray. Amen. I'll now ask Councilwoman Delray Cons. >> You know, I would
I always do. Thank you, Mayor. Um, when I was writing my comments this morning, I joked about two things. the fact that even though I was a litigator for 20 years, I rarely prepare or anything um other than studying what I need to know, but I don't prepare remarks. And the
other joke I made was that my speech ran about six minutes, four minutes was introducing dignitaries. So, the good news is I'm not going to reintroduce all the dignitaries. I will just uh point out that um someone I wanted to acknowledge and plan to acknowledge when
I introduced the dignitaries today was um former municipal chair Denise Ross who was also a council woman in Rutherford who passed unexpectedly this year. And I was thrilled to see that Denise's uh son Spencer and his fiance Miranda are here. So I just wanted to
acknowledge her because I planned to do that um when I opened. And the other uh very important dignitaries to me that I wanted to acknowledge were the residents of Rutherford and all the children that are here. Um those of you that know me well know that to many many children in
town I am Titi. I am not Christy. Um and a lot of my extended family of children are all here. So that makes me really really happy. Um generally I'm not a fan of speeches that start with quotes by others. Although I was thrilled that
commissioners are um quoted RBG for us, um I often find myself thinking that I want to hear what the speaker has to say, not the quote they found someone else saying important. What might they say themselves that someone would quote about them later? But for tonight, I'm
breaking my own rule with a quote that found me. I did not find it. In 2020, at the height of the social justice movement following the murder of George Floyd, I, like many, started educating myself more intentionally about race
relations. I thought I knew a ton, but I didn't. I was too confident in that area, and I quickly learned that that confidence was not enough. I needed more schooling. In doing that self-eing, I found a brilliant writer and influencer named Lovey Jones. Her content is
honest, unabashed, and thoughtful. By April of 2023, just four months into my f first term, I realized being a council woman here would be hard for all the reasons it shouldn't be. And on April 3rd, I opened Instagram and saw a quote
from Lovey. Do not break yourself down into bite-sized pieces. Let them choke. Her caption referenced being told she was too much. and also said something akin to, "If you are going to be mad
every time we win with gumption, you are just going to have to stay mad." It took me another year, maybe more, to stop breaking myself down in this work. But once I did, my voters got who they actually voted for. And that is the
entire point of public service, to give the voters who they think they voted for and to hold on to her. That is not to say your public servants should never surprise you. The work within this job is riddled with compromise and concessions. But if I was going to give
my voters who they voted for, I had just to let some folks stay mad. And chances are they didn't vote for me anyway. My second run for council was different in every way possible. And it was absolute magic. Difficult, long, but
magic. I did not try to figure out who I should be. I knew very well who I was. I did not apologize for it and I had a running mate that did not want me to be small. We had dozens and dozens of people around us, most of which are here now,
rooting us on for exactly who we are, and that is who you voted for. That is who you all deserve. The best and most real versions of all of us. It is almost hard to believe that Councilman Dennis Mazone is real and that what you see is actually what you are getting because he
is so very good in every way that matters. He is good and he is earnest. I love him dearly and I tell him that all the time. I am so grateful that he is my councilman. I am so grateful that he is yours. For those of you that helped us
with our campaign, thank you. From carnivals to phone banking and everything in between, we knocked on hundreds and hundreds of doors. That is and always will be my favorite part of campaigning. If anyone tells you that knocking no longer matters, do not
believe them. There is nothing like a moment standing on someone's porch for however long they need to hear your ear. This has been a challenging year for those of us that vote blue, but it has been exciting as well. exciting because our rosecolored glasses are now safe in
a drawer. And that brought with it a state leader who I admire, respect, and aspire to emulate every chance I get. It was an absolute thrill to share the ballot and a victory day with Governor elect Mikey Cheryl. It is equally thrilling to be an elected
official in this critical time. We are at a pivot point at every level of government. Here at home, this governing body has secured grants to do important and significant work in the burrow over the next few years. We will be looking for ways to include the community in
deciding about those projects. So stay tuned for that. I credit my husband who knows much more about policy than I do for pushing me. One day when I was lamenting about the work we wanted to do on the west end of Rutherford and the estimated cost, he looked at me late and
simply responded, "Go find the grants. There is always money to find and we have and we will. Our council will also have challenging decisions to make in the coming years, but I am confident we will make them with respect and good intention even if we don't agree. We
have dedicated burough employees from top to bottom so nothing feels out of reach. Please hold us accountable. We expect that. When I was sworn in the first time, much of my family was in New Zealand on a trip to be there for my brother's wedding.
I cut the trip short to get back in time, but today most of them are here, and I am so grateful. Just like I did back in 2023, I wonder what my parents would think of all of this. I lost my mother when I was 27 and my dad when I was 41.
I used to think they would be surprised by it, but then I recently remembered that when my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Marowitz, asked me what I wanted to be, I said, "The first woman president." While that's no longer true for me, even though we still have not achieved it 40
years later, maybe that comment would at least have dulled the surprise that I sit here for my parents. They were wonderful, so hardworking, so focused, simply the best. Jason, Annabella, and Leo, who
never once asked me to be less, even when I have them dress up as silly as possible for Christmas photos and then mail them to hundreds of people. Never once. They have a wife and a mom who uses up every single minute of every single day until she collapses in a heap
on the couch or in our bed surrounded by our pups. That's not an easy wife and mom to have. It is not easy to have a mom who is first on the dance floor and will be tonight, by the way. So, if everyone's coming, just look for me there. Um, but they gift me their grace
and their love. I admire who they are more than they will ever know. Watching my son be the first to help anyone who is on the ground get up during a sports game, whether they are on his team or not. Watching my daughter create the most thoughtful gifts for those she
loves by hand. Watching my brilliant, patient husband ache for the world and do everything he can to fix it. To watch him be an adviser and confidant for some of the most brilliant minds this part of the country. I have known him since he
was 18. We know the best and worst of each other and we've both made huge mistakes. Yet, he remains completely all inspiring to me. I am so excited to support all of them in all they continue to do while smothering them in my love.
I have a beautiful village here in Rutherford. It is so easy to build a village here. Perhaps it is because it is the burrow of trees. Things are just meant to grow easily here. Love is meant to grow easily here. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Meone, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, and good evening. Um, I'm deeply honored and grateful to stand before you today as a member Rutherford B Council. First and
foremost, I want to thank the residents of this burrow for the trust you placed me. That trust is a responsibility I humbly accept. One I intend to honor dedicated thoughtful public service. Rutherford is a community defined by people who step up for one another.
Neighbors helping neighbors volunteering their time. Residents who care deeply about the future of this burrow. It is with that commitment I approach this guided by the principles leadership listening first. acting thoughtfully and always placing the best interest of
Brotherford res. I ran for council public service and constant presence throughout my life. Long before seeking elected office, I was shaped in by my professional career in New Jersey state law enforcement, public health as well as my time
volunteering right here. Learning along the way the importance of diversity, teamwork, accountability, integity. Those experiences taught me that meaningful change only comes from stepping forward, listening, and doing the hard work. Serving on the Rutherford
Council is a natural extension my commitment to giving back to the community has given me so much. I'm incredibly grateful to our friends and neighbors for your support, encouragement about our campaign. I learned long ago public service is never a solo effort. I'm incredibly thankful
to everyone by us reminded us why public service matters now more than ever. In that spirit, I want to extend my sincere appreciation all of our burough employees, first responders, volunteers to your dedication, profession
running smoothly make this burden, my children, Max, Jack, for your unwavering love, patience, and support. I love you guys. I'd also like to express my heartfelt thanks, deep admiration, my friend
running campaigning alongside you privilege. I value your partnership, perspective, your shared commitment. I look forward to serving together on the council as we work to strengthen
this community, the promise of service. Also deeply grateful to our council president Stephanie McGowan for your exceptional leadership, guidance and support throughout our campaign and beyond. The example you have modeled extremely motivating and I'm thankful
for the opportunity to serve alongside you as a member council. To our mayor, my fellow council members, thank you for your dedication. Each of you brings in genuine commitment residents. I look forward to collaborating with
you, learning from you and working together even when we may disagree. Respect diplomacy shared goal of serving this community. Also like to extend my thanks to all the dignitaries with us here today presly.
As I begin this term, I pledge to lead by serving, be accessible, responsive, and accountable to be able to shared resources. The oath I've taken today is not about title, but about responsibility. I commit to approaching every decision fairness, thoughtfulness,
respect, sincere desire to stronger than I found it. Thank you all again for this opportunity. I'm proud to call home and I look forward to working together. Thank you, Councilman. Now going to start the uh hearing citizens. Anybody wishing to
speak, please step forward to the microphone. Get your name and address comments 5 minutes or less. to the public and we'll open up real quick. >> Thank you, mayor. I would just like to take a moment to acknowledge this
amazing evening in reorganization for our borrow. Congratulate once again Councilwoman Christy Delray Con and our newest councilman Dennis Mazone. And I'd also like to thank everyone that's in
this room for their incredible support this year in not only making sure that we have the most amazing stewards to do this incredible work, but also to continue to be the shining star in South Bergen County for their outstanding
participation and commitment to diplomacy and to democracy. Thank you, Mayor. >> Thank you. Anybody else? Seeing none, we're going to move to our
request for council president. Mayor, thank you very much. Um, I with great honor, I would love to nominate my friend and someone that I believe is so very daring and has filled this role a few times. Um, I have all the faith in
the world that uh in the past and continue to I'd love to nominate Councilwoman Stephanie McGawan. >> Nomination by the Councilman. Second. >> Second. >> Second by Councilwoman Del R. Any questions or comments?
None. I'll take a roll call, please. Councilman >> Kley. >> Yes. >> McGawan Erico. >> Yes. >> Guzman. >> Yes. Delic. >> Yes. >> Mone. >> Yes.
>> Congratulations. Council, >> would you please step forward? Thunder. Thank you. Repeat that. I state your name. Council President, I apologize. >> Thank you, Mayor.
I certainly don't want to make this meeting any longer than it already is. However, mayor, it is my distinct honor to share that this council is ready to
I am so honored to serve as competent, capable, energetic, willing, humble servants of this burrow. I am so moved right now because I understand the trust that they
put in me. Mayor, we look forward to a prosperous year for the Burough Brother. We look forward to our continued work on behalf of the residents. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council President. Congratulations again.
So, we're now going to move into the nuts and bolts of the Euro stuff. If you guys leave, Anything for you, Tom? stay down there. I've now asked the um council to step forward to the front of
the dis for our service awards. I'd like to recognize for 20 years of service to the community, David Dvalo. What's his face? Farrell. Oh, Sean. Scott Dehouse. away from Jason from
Bill Sator Tom Riser 25 years of service. Phil Sator was 25 years of service. I apologize. Huff 25 years of service. And Kenny Wooten, 25 years of service.
Thank you everybody. Thank you, mayor. Like to move resolution number one, adoption of the 2026 by motion. >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Guzman. Any questions or comments?
May have a roll call, please. >> Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Kley, >> yes. >> Erico, >> yes. >> Guzman, >> yes. >> Council De, >> yes. Cuz >> yes. >> Next up, we have the reorg council on
Simons. On finance, first would be Councilwoman Stephanie McGawan. Second would be Councilwoman Christy Delray Con. On fire, we'd have first Councilman Matthew Kley. Second would be Councilwoman Stephanie McGowan. on police. First would be Councilman Ray
Guzman. Second would be Councilman Dennis Mone. On public works, Councilman First would be Councilman Dennis Mison. Second would be Councilman John Eero. On recreation and human resources, first would be Councilman Delray Con. Second
would be Councilman Matt Kley. Buildings and Grounds, first would be Councilman John Ero. Second would be Councilman Ray Guzman. myself. I will be leazison to New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, William
Center, and Chamber of Commerce. I'd ask for council consent. >> Have a motion, please. >> Motion. >> I have a motion by the councilman, council president, and I have a second, I believe, by >> any questions or comments?
>> Seeing none, may roll, please. >> Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Thank you, mayor. The following although not requiring a
vote, we are announcing to the record leaison assignments for or committee assignments for the council members for council president Stephanie McGawan 55 kip center access for allian board of education volunteer committee
and the planning board. Councilman Ray Guzman, OEM, Pedestrian Safety, Crossing Guard, Streetscape, Ports, Municipal Alliance. Councilman Matt Kley, Shade Tree Commission, Co- Arts Committee, and the
Rent Board. Councilwoman Christy Delray Conn, Civil Rights Commission, Recreation Advisory Board, Library Board, Community Events, Co-Arts Committee, Councilman John Ero, Green Team, the Saic River Coalition, NARAD, and the
Board of Adjustment, Councilman Dennis Mazone, Board of Health, Ambulance Corps, Stigmafree, Recycling, and Environment. Thank you, council president. Sent agenda. >> Thank you, mayor. All items listed with
an aster will be enacted by one motion and these items are routine in nature. Motion. >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by councilman Guzman. Any questions or comments? >> Seeing none. May have a roll call, please.
>> Council President McGawan. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley. >> Yes. >> Councilman Erico. >> Yes. >> Guzman. >> Yes. Council. >> Yes. >> Councilman. >> Yes. >> Next up, we have our benediction, Pastor Pate.
Mount Arab Baptist Church. Please. Today we've made this day about some very special people. Councilwoman Dere Conn, Councilman Dennis Mazone, Councilwoman President McGawan. But can we stand and give a a standing
ovation for this council at large and its mayor? Thank you. Let's pray. Gracious heavenly father, we thank you for another opportunity to come before you with an open heart, a heart of service, a heart of gratitude,
and a heart of thankfulness for all that you continue to do. Father, as we continue to stand as servants in this community of Rutherford, in this county of Bergen, we ask that you will lead us in a foundation that shows the people of God, shows the people of this community
that we stand together, united as one. Father, we pray that you lead us in a spirit of unity that the reflection of unity among this council will be reflected in the community that the people of Rutherford would know that we stand together as one. Father, we pray
for harmony among all the hearts of men and women, families in this space to know that when we look up to you, we don't have to worry about being divided or separated, but we can trust that we will come together as one to lead this
community to greater heights. Father, we thank you for this room that is filled with love. a love for one another, love for you, love for the people, the foundation at which this burrow stands on. But Father, we pray now that you will show us the compassion that we can
share with one another. Show us how to have a mind just to sit down with one with another and show love for each other. Father, in those hard times when we don't know what to do, Father, in the times when this council don't know what to say, we ask that you would give them strength to stand. Father, we ask that
you give them endurance to stand holy to those to one another. Lord, enduring the hard times and never giving up. Father, remind them, remind this council, remind these people as they serve that they have a purpose and a calling. A purpose
to lead one another in kindness. A purpose to show each other love. A purpose to show to move forward as one people. A calling to do better. A calling to go higher. A calling to bring more together. Father, as we close this
prayer, we simply ask for one thing, two things actually, that you'll continue to give. First of all, we pray for your blessing among this this burrow, among this council, among this mayor. That we will continue to move forward in your favor. And then, Father, we pray for
protection. Protection when it gets hard. Protection when we feel trouble. Protection knowing that we are able to do everything as long we hold on to your hand. Now, unto him who's able to keep us from falling. Now, unto him who was able to keep us from falling, present us
to him. Lord, we ask that we continue to trust in you as we continue to allow us to serve this community, this county, and this world in Jesus name. Amen. >> Thank you, Pastor Pate. On behalf of the
myself and the council, I I just want to thank you and Pastor Annie for coming here to join us tonight. Thank you very much. It's very much appreciated. I'll now accept a motion to adjurnn. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Congratulations and have a great night everybody.