Harris presides over final meeting as city's mayor

Franklin Mayor Raymond Harris presided over his final City Council meeting Tuesday.
His address thanked his wife, Connie, and his kids, Kristin and Ray for their sacrifice and support. He also thanked his mother and State Representative Sam Jones.
Harris said of the councilmen he’s worked with, “We may not have always agreed, and we may not have always seen eye to eye on everything, but I’ve worked with good councilmembers and unless you work together you can’t get anything done.”
He thanked the city employees, as well, saying, “We’ve got about 100 employees and they don’t get the credit they deserve and they don’t get the thanks or the recognition they deserve. So, to the employees: You guys do an awesome job.”
In closing his address, Harris said, “And most importantly, the people of Franklin. I just want to say to the people of Franklin, ‘Thank You.’
“You had enough confidence to elect me to office four times, and I hope that I served the community well. I did my best.
“I don’t have any regrets. I don’t regret one minute of being in office and it’s been my joy to serve you.
“Going forward, I will keep Franklin in my prayers, because Franklin will always be in my heart and I wish the next administration God’s grace.”
In other news, councilmembers approved a resolution to contribute $2,000 to assist Pastor Allen Randle with the costs of recruiting local youth to attend Carolina Creek Summer Camp in Texas this summer.
Additionally, Kristal Hebert of Center of Hope addressed the council to thank them for providing a recycling bin to the organization, she also invited any and all interested parties to visit the facility in Centerville.
Announcements included:
Inauguration/Special Meeting is to be held July 1, at 6 p.m. at the Teche Theatre.
Keep St. Mary Beautiful city-wide cleanup will take place July 14 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and will meet in the Stage parking lot.
Finally, following an executive session, Jones delivered his final remarks to Harris, saying, “I want to congratulate Raymond Harris on a great, long career in this building, filled with integrity, without scandal, where promises made to the people were promises kept.
“They trusted we’d take care of the finances here and our responsibilities from the top to the bottom, done with the utmost care.
“And we weren’t perfect. None of us were ever perfect. But, there was a commitment to duty and a commitment to the job, and there’s nothing that I didn’t call for, when Raymond worked for me, and after, that he didn’t try to do. So, I thank you for that.”