Large crowd watches Madison mayor, City Council take office
Residents from across the area packed Madison’s Council chambers during the swearing-in of Madison Mayor Troy Trulock and the City Council on Aug. 5.
Trulock said he estimated approximately 225 people in attendance. “We appreciate all the great supporters out there,” Trulock said. “The teamwork between Huntsville City, Madison County, Madison City and Redstone Arsenal is just outstanding.”
David and Melanie Hergenroder, whose family was named the 2012 Madison Family of the year, were in attendance. “Having everybody from Redstone is really impressive, and it really does point out the ties that Madison has with Redstone,” David Hergenroder said.
David Hergenroder said Council chambers were “packed,” which shows, “everybody really appreciates their government.”
On the new City Council is incumbent Tim Holcombe, District 1; Steve Smith, District 2; D.J. Klein, District 3; Mike Potter, District 4; incumbent Tommy Overcash, District 5; Gerald Clark, District 6; and Ronica Ondocsin, District 7.
The Council elected third term councilman Overcash president, after he was nominated by Holcombe.
Former Council President Ondocsin was elected president pro tempore. She was appointed to Council last year to replace Bill Holtzclaw, R-Madison, when he won a State Senate seat in 2010.
No other nominations were presented for president or president pro tempore.
The Council elected Holcombe head of the finance committee. Smith and Ondocsin were also elected to the three-person committee.
Holtzclaw served as the master of ceremonies. Assistant Municipal Judge Tommy Parker swore in the mayor and Council members.
It is unlikely the next Council meeting will be as packed, but there is much work to be done. “I think our next step – probably the next City Council meeting – will be to work on the 2013 budget,” Trulock said. “That’s most critical for us.”
U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks and Madison County Commission Chairman-elect Dale Strong attended, along with military personnel, including Gen. Dennis Via of the U.S. Army Material Command, Lt. Gen. Richard P. Formica of the Space & Missile Defense/Army Force Strategic Command and Maj. Gen. Lynn Collyar of the Army Aviation & Missile Command.
