Chelsea council recognizes retiring mayor pro-tem Juanita Champion, certifies election of new mayor
Juanita Champion has attended 287 Chelsea City Council meetings. In her 12 years serving on the city council, Champion has not missed a meeting. In fact, one meeting was moved to her living room so that she could maintain her perfect attendance.
“We are very proud of the service she has provided to the city of Chelsea, and we’re proud that you were on board,” said Mayor Earl Niven. “… You have been an asset to the city for the last 12 years. And you know, she has done so much work for the city.”
During the Oct. 11 Chelsea City Council meeting, Champion and Niven’s second-to-last meeting before the new council and mayor take office, Niven and the sitting council recognized Champion for her service and dedication to the City of Chelsea. Niven also announced the city’s museum would soon be renamed the City of Chelsea Historical Museum, established by Juanita J. Champion. As a nod to the minor injuries Champion has sustained during the last 12 years, Niven also presented her with the “Safety Award,” reflecting on old jokes had on the council.
“I don’t know of any other city council that has the fun we have,” he said.
The council also certified a certificate election for Tony Picklesimer, who won the runoff election for mayor on Oct. 4. Anyone on the council or audience who supported certifying the resolution was asked to stand, and everyone present at the meeting did so.
“I told him [Tony] this was going to be a great journey for him,” Niven said during pre-council. “He is thoroughly going to enjoy every minute of it. Well, not every minute — but quite a few. Just remember the purpose is to provide service.”
While reflecting on his 20 years as mayor, Niven said he has enjoyed his time serving Chelsea as well as the variety the position offers.
“There is no normal day in the life of a mayor because you never know what’s coming up,” he said. “But you know more now than what we did 20 years ago because we had no idea. Everything that came up was new.”
After 20 years at the helm of the city, Niven said he is proud of where he will leave Chelsea, and looks forward to what the new council and mayor will do. The new council and mayor will take the oath of office on Monday, Nov. 7.
Also at the meeting, the council:
- Approved a manufacturing and retail table wine license for Cat & Bird Winery.
- Approved a resolution to dedicate a portion of the roads outside of the new sports complex — Grand Slam Drive and Sports Highland Parkway — as public right of way.
- Accepted rezoning requests for a 196.9 acre property on County Road 11 and for a 1.84 acre property on Old Highway 280 behind Publix. The first property asked for rezoning from agricultural residential to planned residential development for a subdivision called “The Highlands of Chelsea,” and the latter asks to be rezoned from residential to general business. There will be a public hearing for each request before they are formally approved.
- Discussed the signage for the city’s new sports complex. Niven said a representative will have a demo of the different resolutions of signage on Thursday, and the final decision will roll over to the new council and mayor. The sign is a “generational decision,” which will be standing and seen for several years, Picklesimer said.
- Looked at the newest transport unit for Chelsea Fire & Rescue Department. The unit will go into service on Saturday, said Chief Wayne Shirley, and Niven prayed over the unit, asking for safety.