Columbia mayor, council inauguration moved outdoors amid COVID surge
The inauguration and swearing in for Columbia’s new mayor and new city council members has been moved outdoors to accommodate residents with COVID-19 safety concerns, according to a news release from the city.
The event had been scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Columbia Convention Center. It will now be held at 3 p.m. outside of City Hall, in the 1700 block of Main Street.
“We are open in the City of Columbia. On January 4, our Swearing-In celebration will mark the start of a new day in the City of Columbia’s history,” Mayor-elect Daniel Rickenmann said in a written statement. “We want this new day to be a positive experience for every citizen, every business and every community. We do not want anyone to have concerns over health or well being, so we will hold the swearing-in outside on Main Street in order to welcome all who wish to attend.”
Three new faces will join Columbia City Council Tuesday, and Rickenmann will move from his current seat representing District 4 to the mayor’s seat.
Former South Carolina commerce chief Joe Taylor will take over Rickenmann’s District 4 council seat. Columbia attorney Tina Herbert will replace outgoing councilman Sam Davis representing District 1, and public health researcher Aditi Bussells will fill the at-large seat being vacated by councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine.
This story was originally published January 3, 2022 at 9:27 AM.
