City council honors Crayton
April 15, 2008
City Manager Bill Watkins presents former First Ward City Councilwoman Almeta Crayton with a gift for her nine years of service during a special City Council meeting Monday. Crayton gave a brief speech that expressed gratitude for the opportunity to make a difference in Columbia.
When outgoing First Ward City Councilwoman Almeta Crayton was first elected to her seat in 1999, she had to walk or take the bus to council meetings. At a special City Council meeting Monday, she thanked everyone that helped her become a part of the community throughout her nine years of service.
“People were really good to me,” she said, referencing how she received rides to council meetings after a while. “I learned a lot.”
Crayton was unseated on April 8 by Ragtag Cinemacafé co-owner Paul Sturtz, who received 60 percent of the vote. Crayton got 31 percent of the vote while Karen Baxter and John Clark each received about 5 percent of the vote.
The council members honored Crayton at the special meeting before swearing in Sturtz and Laura Nauser, who won re-election in the Fifth Ward.
Mayor Darwin Hindman presented Crayton with multiple gifts and acknowledged her service to the city.
“You have contributed a tremendous amount,” Hindman said.
Crayton received a resolution of appreciation signed by hexr fellow council members, a plaque to recognize her service, a heritage tree certificate to be planted in her honor, a city tile and nameplate and a silver tray to acknowledge her term as Mayor Pro Tem from 2001-2002.
Crayton gave a final speech from her seat in the council chambers and became emotional as her time dwindled.
“I appreciate people knowing I gave 150 percent,” she said. “I stood up in the community as a poor woman and took care of what I needed to do for nine years.”
Crayton stressed the importance of providing an outlet for those who are not always represented in city government and was proud of her accomplishments doing just that.
“We made sure that the people who didn’t have a voice had a voice,” she said. “Nobody has the right to keep you back. You get up and do what’s right.”
City Manager Bill Watkins also presented Crayton with a gift and discussed her ability to “walk the walk” in her job.
“For Almeta, public service is more than what you say,” Watkins said. “It’s what you do every day.”
After a standing ovation, Crayton sat down in the chamber and watched Sturtz take the oath of office.
The two then sat together briefly before Sturtz assumed his position at the council table.
“It’s just an honor to be here,” he said. “I’m excited about the future. I’m ready to work.”
Sturtz will sit for his first official council meeting April 21, and the other council members expressed excitement to begin working with him.
“You put Columbia, Mo., on the map culturally,” Watkins said. “That tells me you connect not only with the people here, but also the others that are just discovering our city.”
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