William Baaki signed an oath of office after Tuesday’s common council meeting during which a resolution appointing him to the position of first ward alderman was passed unanimously by the council and signed by Mayor Michael Villa. Baaki was nominated by the Montgomery County Republican Committee to replace Ed Russo, who passed away on November 9, just one day after being re-elected to a third term.
Before the meeting, Baaki addressed the council and said, “I thank you for the kind offer. If accepted, I’d be most honored and humbled to be able to join…Our hearts go out to Mr. Russo’s family, to all of you who served with him. He had certainly served our first ward with distinction and was loved by so many. It would be an honor for someone relatively new to the area to be able to serve the city and give back to the city that’s given our family so much in a short time.”
According to Corporation Counsel William Lorman, a swearing-in ceremony officiated by a judge which is traditionally carried out on January 1 for newly elected officials, was only a formality and not required for Baaki to take office.
Under the city’s charter, the position of first ward alderman will be up for a vote at the next general election in November 2018.
