LIVE OAK — History became official Tuesday night.

The first woman elected to the Live Oak City Council, Robintina Reed was sworn in to her position along with three other elected officials at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

“I’m just thankful for everybody that came out to support,” Reed said during Tuesday night’s council meeting, which was attended by a handful of family members and friends for the historic achievement.

Council President Bennie Thomas added: “We’re going into history tonight. Mrs. Reed, welcome and congratulations.

“You went down into history tonight.”

Reed, the councilor for District 1, and Mark Stewart, the District 4 councilor, were sworn in by Judge David Fina earlier in the meeting.

Reed was elected to the council in May, while Stewart won a runoff election in June to rejoin the council, which he served on from 2006-10.

Also sworn in at Tuesday’s meeting were City Clerk John Gill, who ran unopposed, and Mayor Frank Davis. Davis, who had served as the District 4 councilman, replaces Sonny Nobles, who retired after 16 years as mayor.

 

President, Pro-Tem elected

After the new officials were sworn in Tuesday, the council also elected its new President and Pro-Tem.

Current President Bennie Thomas was re-elected as President with David Burch elected as Pro-Tem.

Burch was also nominated as President, but was voted against by a 3-2 vote. Thomas then was elected.

Burch was the lone nominee for Pro-Tem.

“I appreciate this council having that much confidence in me,” Thomas said. “I will do my best and if there is anything that you think I need to know and need to do, please call me or tell me.”

Nobles honored

In his first official act at mayor, Davis recognized his predecessor.

“As my first official act, this is an honor,” Davis said before reading off a proclamation that declared July 10, 2018, as Garth R. “Sonny” Nobles Jr. Day in the City of Live Oak.

“What is most meaningful to me is he will always be the mayor. This is the mayor right here, Mayor Nobles.”

Nobles had served as an elected city official for 42 years, including 26 years as a member of the city council before his tenure as mayor.

Davis added he has already inundated Nobles with phone calls since being elected in May to become the city’s new mayor. He said that he would continue to take advantage of the resource.

“I thank all of y’all for making my life sweet,” a touched Nobles said after the proclamation.