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New city councilwoman takes office

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New Washington Councilwoman Tracie Rotunda Graham, who was sworn in Monday morning, doesn’t consider herself a political person.

Even though her sister, Kim Ward, is a Republican state senator serving in Westmoreland County, Rotunda Graham said it’s the hope of helping city residents and quelling disagreements on council – not political aspirations – that prompted her to run for office.

“I’m not political,” Rotunda Graham said. “I live in the city and want the best for the people in the city.”

Her biggest priority is attracting new businesses.

However, she acknowledged she has a lot to learn as her first term begins and listened intently as others spoke during council’s first agenda meeting of the new year Monday.

“Of course, I want the city to grow,” Rotunda Graham said after the meeting. “I’m going to have to learn a lot and come up to speed.”

It was the political bickering and infighting on council in recent years that she saw as an impetus to run for office.

Rotunda Graham and incumbent Councilman Joe Manning won their seats in the November election. Matt Staniszewski, a two-term councilman, lost his re-election bid.

Mayor Brenda Davis, who had numerous disagreements with Staniszewski, administered the oath of office to Rotunda Graham. The mayor said was pleased to see “a new face and new energy” on council.

Rotunda Graham was selected to head the Department of Public Safety for her first term.

“I’m looking forward to starting this new year working with the mayor and council,” Rotunda Graham said after taking the oath. “I’m planning on doing a good job.”

Rotunda Graham’s mother, Joanna Renko, and daughter, Christina Rotunda, along with Ward and her son, Mike, attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Manning thanked his wife, Lynn, and friends for their support during his re-election campaign that initially saw him booted off the ballot for not having enough valid signatures early last year. He mounted a successful write-in campaign in the primary and said he planned to rededicate himself to the position during his next term.

“I’m truly humbled and honored for the residents giving me another term,” Manning said.

Council is set to hold its first voting meeting of the year Thursday night.

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