By Faith Callens, For The Tribune
CLAY — Dr. Orletta Rush was sworn in as the city’s newest council member in front of a packed house during the Clay City Council meeting on December 14.
Rush, who also serves as the deputy superintendent for the Jefferson County Board of Education, said she is excited about the position and has been involved in the Clay community since 2007.
“Clay was the area where I first became an administrator working with the Jefferson County School District,” Rush said. “My son has always gone to school within the Clay community, and I am very excited about giving back to the Clay Community within itself.”
City Manager Ronnie Dixon swore Rush in and said he felt it was an honor to have the opportunity to assist her in the process of taking a public seat on the council board.
Rush will serve a four-year term being a council member of Clay and is the first black woman to sit on the Clay City Council.
Mayor Charles Webster said diversifying the council was one of his goals for the city because he wants residents of Clay to know that the council is there for everyone no matter their skin color. He feels having Rush a part of the council is doing just that.
Items approved on the council’s consent agenda:
- Proclamation 2021-05, Proclamation to recognize the 2021- Sophomore Clay Youth Cheerleading Squad
- This proclamation was approved to recognize the achievements of citizens of the community, the 2021 Sophomore Clay Youth Cheerleading Squad for spending countless hours prepping and preparing for the United Youth Football of Alabama League and the Battle of the South Cheerleading Competitions. The cheerleading squad won first place for both cheerleading competitions.
- Proclamation 2021-06, Proclamation to recognize the 2021- Junior Clay Youth Cheerleading Squad
- This proclamation was approved to recognize the achievements of citizens of the community, the 2021 Junior Clay Youth Cheerleading Squad for spending countless hours prepping and preparing for the United Youth Football of Alabama League Cheerleading Competition and the Battle of the South Cheerleading Competition. The cheerleading squad won second place for the Battle of the South Cheerleading Competition.
The next city council meeting is December 21.