Five takeaways from Columbia’s mayoral, city council inauguration
South Carolina’s capital city has a new leader. Daniel Rickenmann was inaugurated as Columbia’s mayor in an outdoor ceremony Tuesday afternoon in front of City Hall. Three new council members were also sworn in. Former South Carolina commerce chief Joe Taylor now represents District 4, Rickenmann’s former territory. Columbia attorney Tina Herbert replaces councilman Sam Davis representing District 1, and public health researcher Aditi Bussells fills the at-large seat left by councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine.
Here are five takeaways from inauguration day.
1. ‘A new chapter’
Columbia is entering a new chapter in its history Three new faces on the council and a new mayor to lead the seven-person governing body ensures that government in Columbia will at least look different going forward.
“As the new year begins and we start a new chapter in Columbia, I can’t help but be excited. The sense of opportunity seems brighter than ever. The next four years will be exciting and I look forward to getting to work,” Rickenmann said in his inaugural speech.
Members of the public who attended the inauguration said they’re excited about what the new council will accomplish.
“Columbia is changing. South Carolina is changing,” said Mark Wishart, a Bussells supporter who attended the Tuesday event to show his support for the new council members. “It’s just always good to have some new blood.”
2. A historic day
Tuesday’s inauguration was historic for more reasons than it being the first time in 12 years that a new mayor is leading the city. The elections of both at-large council member Aditi Bussells and District 1 council member Tina Herbert mark historic demographic shifts on the city council.
Bussells is the first Indian American woman to be elected to the council, and Herbert is only the second African American woman to be elected.
In her speech, Bussells acknowledged the moment.
“I am so honored to be your councilwoman at-large and follow in the footsteps of two phenomenal women, Ms. Tameika Isaac Devine and Ms. Frannie Heizer,” she said.
Devine was the first African American woman to be elected to Columbia City Council and the first woman ever elected to an at-large seat. Heizer was the first woman elected to council, in 1986.
Herbert, too, included that history in her speech, specifically thanking Devine.
“The simple fact that she ran let me know that I could do it, too,” she said.
3. A change of venue
The inauguration ceremony was initially to be held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, but public health concerns led the city to move the event outside. The city closed the 1700 block of Main Street directly outside City Hall. A stage, rows of chairs, large televisions and refreshment tables filled the street Tuesday afternoon.
It was a brisk day, which city manager Teresa Wilson remarked on in her opening address.
“Everyone looks beautiful in their pea coats and hats and gloves on this beautiful Columbia inaugural day,” she said.
Despite the chill, the sun was shining, and enough people to fill half the block showed up for the event.
4. Vague policy goals
Columbia’s new elected officials shared myriad promises Tuesday but were vague on specific goals.
Rickenmann and Taylor both emphasized the role of small businesses and the city’s property tax dilemma.
“You have my word that over the next four years we’ll work to become a safer city, a more business-friendly city, a more beautiful city with better schools and better roads and better taxes,” Taylor said in his speech.
Herbert raised affordable housing as a priority. Each new member said they want to work collaboratively, not only with each other but with their communities.
5. Focus on family
Council members’ families were also center-stage Tuesday. Council members stood beside their spouses, parents and children while being sworn in, with a member of each council member’s family holding the Bible while the oaths were taken.
In addition to the thanks those family members got from the new council members, city manager Teresa Wilson had a message for those families as well. She recognized the parents, spouses and children of council members by name before offering an overarching thank-you.
“I want to thank you all, all of you, in advance, for your willingness to serve,” she said. “Because it is a sacrifice.”
This story was originally published January 5, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
