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Sparta council selects new mayor

| 10 Jan 2018 | 01:27
    Last year's mayor Gil Gibbs with his wife Vanessa and an appreciative bouquet Photos by Rose Sgharlato
    Last year's mayor Gil Gibbs with his wife Vanessa and an appreciative bouquet Photos by Rose Sgharlato
    From left, Councilwoman Christine Quinn, Councilman Gil Gibbs, Councilwoman Molly Whilesmith and newly selected Mayor Josh Hertzberg at the reorganization meeting
    From left, Councilwoman Christine Quinn, Councilman Gil Gibbs, Councilwoman Molly Whilesmith and newly selected Mayor Josh Hertzberg at the reorganization meeting
    Councilwoman Quinn takes the oath as Deputy Mayor for 2018
    Councilwoman Quinn takes the oath as Deputy Mayor for 2018
    New Mayor Josh Hertzberg takes the oath of office, administered by Municipal Clerk Kate Chambers, while wife Erica and three-year-old son Callum look on
    New Mayor Josh Hertzberg takes the oath of office, administered by Municipal Clerk Kate Chambers, while wife Erica and three-year-old son Callum look on

By Rose Sgarlato
SPARTA- Josh Hertzberg was unanimously voted in by members of the governing body as Sparta’s mayor for the year 2018. The Sparta Township Council’s reorganization meeting was on Monday, Jan.8. Councilwoman Christine Quinn was selected as Deputy Mayor.
Hertzberg replaces Councilman Gil Gibbs, who served as the township's chief executive for 2017. Municipal Clerk Kate Chambers conducted the swearing in ceremony. Hertzberg took the oath of office for the one-year term with his family by his side. This will be the last year of a four-year term on council, and he is up for re-election in November.
A Sparta native, Hertzberg said he was grateful for the community support and the backing of all the municipal employees, with a special nod to all the volunteer first responders.
“I have lived all over the US but Sparta is my home, and it is a special place,” Hertzberg said. “ I promise to be the voice of residents and carry out what makes your life better.”
Hertzberg said in his speech that police officers, firefighters, first responders and government officials were "highly dedicated" and help to make the township "special." He also promised to be accessible and transparent.
Councilman Gibbs and Councilwoman Molly Whilesmith are in the last year of their second four-year term on the council. Both are up for re-election in November. Rounding out the council is Quinn and Jerry Murphy who are both serving four-year terms ending in two years.
Deputy Mayor Quinn provided this statement:
“It’s an honor and privilege to have been nominated by Mayor Hertzberg and supported by colleagues on the council to serve as deputy mayor through 2018. I am truly excited about the opportunities, promise and potential the New Year will bring.”
Councilwoman Molly Whilesmith has been on the council for eight years.
“Everyone brings something to the table," she said. "We are a really good team. Josh and Chris are going to do a good job at the helm and we all support them.”