Changing of the guard: New mayor, churned city council sworn in for start of a new era

ASHEBORO — Asheboro’s city council meeting was packed for the first hour, with extra chairs brought into the room for family and members of the public who came to see three new council members and a new mayor take the oaths of office.

Staff swapped out every name placard on the dais except for the city manager as retiring council members left and new council members took their seats on Dec. 4.

“It’s a monumental occasion. A changing of the guard, so to speak,” outgoing Mayor David Smith said.

City Clerk Holly Doerr led Phil Skeen, Phillip Cheek, Mary Joan Pugh and returning council member Kelly Heath in taking their oaths.

Next, Joseph Trogdon, Jr. took the oath for mayor. He said, “Every single one of these people who have held office knows the journey we’ve been on. Everybody knows it’s a hard job, but everybody knows they can’t do it alone.”

The new council’s first piece of business was to ratify resolutions recognizing retiring members Smith, Walker Moffitt, and Clark Bell.

“It’s been my honor and privilege to serve you,” Bell said. “It was difficult for me to make this decision, but I figured 16 years was long enough. It’s my honor and privilege to serve, particularly with these former council members.”

Moffitt said he felt honored to work with past and present councils, pointing to former Mayor David Jarrell seated in the front row. He said, “It’s not about power and control. It’s about service and how you can serve. If you can’t approach it in true Jesus’ heart and premise, it’ll drive you crazy. It’ll be a burden you will not survive. To have the desire to make things better for others and do the best you can, use your best judgment, it’s been a privilege and honor to do that.”

Smith became emotional before he left the mayor’s chair to a standing ovation. “I just want to say thank you,” he said. “Twenty-eight years. It’s been an honor.”

Trogdon presented outgoing council member Bill McCaskill with the Key to the City for his service. He began with a story about how he learned McCaskill played football for East Carolina, then ended with, “He always had the best interests of Asheboro citizens in his heart.”

Eddie Burks was unanimously voted the next Mayor Pro Tempore, succeeding Moffitt.

“I’ve been up here for 18 years, and in 18 years, we’ve had a lot of different people in those seats,” Burks said. “But we’ve always had a good team. That’s the most important thing. We will work together as a team, and this city is going to continue to prosper.”

Burks and Heath both thanked their spouses and families for supporting them. After Heath’s husband held the Bible during her oath, she said, “Thirty-five years ago, I made the best decision of my life to say ‘yes’ when he asked me out on a first date. My favorite place to be is still here beside him.”

With Trogdon being elected mayor in the middle of his city council term, his seat remains vacant. The council said they will appoint someone to fill that seat. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 9.

Trogdon ended the night by encouraging all the new council members to ask all questions they had of city staff. 

“We owe it to everybody who put us up here to come in well-informed at these meetings,” he said. “We all came from an election and primary. Now we’re on the same side. We want to do what’s best for the citizens of Asheboro.”