U.S. Judge Matthew Perry inaugurates three at Columbia City Council
Story and photos by John Temple Ligon

Ernest Cromartie and Raynette Cromartie stand with Columbia City Councilman (District II) E. W. Cromartie as he is sworn in by Judge Matthew Perry.

Columbia City Council held its swearing in ceremony at four in the afternoon, Monday, June 30. City Manager Charles Austin presided over the ceremony, and Mayor Bob Coble welcomed the crowd. Council members E.W. Cromartie, Daniel Rickenmann, and Belinda Gergel repeated U.S. Judge Matthew Perry's swearing in declarations before a packed house in City Hall. Cromartie and Rickenmann were re- elected, and Gergel was beginning her first term on council. The invocation was by Rabbi Daniel Sherman, Tree of Life Congregation, and the benediction was by Rev. Rodella Burns, Bishops Memorial AME Church. The reception was at the Columbia Museum of Art.

Daughters Carlyle and Ellie and wife Dr. Laura stand with Columbia City Councilman (At- large) Daniel Rickenmann while he is being sworn in by Judge Matthew Perry. Joseph Gergel and Richard Gergel stand with Columbia City Council District III member Belinda Gergel while she is being sworn in by Judge Matthew Perry. Hamilton Osborne, former Columbia City Council member, and Anne Sinclair, outgoing Columbia City Council member, attend the inauguration of E.W. Cromartie, Belinda Gergel, and Daniel Rickenmann.