Family and friends filled the meeting room, even extending out into the hallway, as the new city council members were sworn in Monday afternoon.
And after being sworn in by Pastor Fred Batten, Macklyn Austin began his tenure as Yazoo City’s new mayor.
“I definitely have a rough road ahead of me, leading this city, because we are not where we want to be or need to be right now,” Austin said, following the ceremony. “I do believe God has placed the right people to help me to get the city where it needs to be. But I can’t do it without your support. Continue to pray for us and have patience with us. I can’t make too many promises, but I can promise these next four years are going to be better than what we have had.”
Aldermen Deyoung Haymer, Patti Taylor-Wright, Zelda Baker and Elizabeth Thomas also took their seats at the table after the ceremony. The city council’s new members include Haymer, Taylor-Wright and Baker. Incumbent Thomas returns to her Ward 4 seat.
Before the exit of the former administration, Thomas said it has been a pleasure to work for the city of Yazoo City for the past seven years.
“God is good, and God is looking for people to serve, not to be served,” Thomas said. “I am glad He called upon me. I know if I follow what He tells me do, everything is going to be OK.”
Thomas then presented a Holy Bible and a book of the city’s ordinances to the audience.
“This is my Bible for living by,” she said, holding the Holy Bible before switching to the ordinance book. “But this is my Bible for serving the city. If I read in this book that I can’t do something, I can’t do it. I don’t care what anybody says. I know that He has something for me to do that is greater than what I am doing now. And I am ready to serve because I am a servant for you all.”
Former mayor David Starling also thanked God, his family and the community for their support during his tenure.
“First, I would like to thank God for being me with steadfast through every step of this journey,” Starling said. “I can’t say another word before thanking my wife for her unwavering support throughout this entire process. To the people who make up the roster of the workers for Yazoo City, I thank you for your service. To our community, the people of Yazoo City, I thank you for allowing me to serve as your mayor for these last four years. I wish this incoming board nothing but success.”
Former Ward 3 alderman Jammie McCoy also told the audience it had been a joy and pleasure to work for the community the last four years.
“I got a chance to talk to many people,” he said. “To the city workers, the people out there who are grinding every day, it was really a joy to work with you together. It’s easy to be on the outside looking in, and a lot of time we don’t a get a chance to understand what it takes to keep this city going.”
Former Ward 1 alderman Charlie Jenkins thanked God and Yazoo City. But he also asked the community to embrace and support the new city council.
“Every time you see one of these board members, make them realize that you appreciate them,” Jenkins said. “Things may not go as you think they should, but you must give them a chance. Let’s not beat them down. Let us allow them a chance. They will do the job they ask of you. We first must have patience.”
Before the swearing in ceremony, Austin thanked the former city board for its service.
“Going forward, I will remember what took place between us,” he said. “A lot of things the community doesn’t know about. But those things will help me be the best man I can be to lead to this city. Thank you all because you have different traits, different strongpoints. I have taken something from each one of you to help lead this city.”
