Hughson, Derrick take oaths in front of full house

It was a full house at City Hall for the canvassing of the most recent election’s results and the swearing in of Jane Hughson as mayor and Melissa Derrick as Place 6 council member.

Outgoing Mayor John Thomaides presented Hughson with her certificate of election and the mayor’s gavel. After former Mayor Kathy Morris administered the oath of office to Hughson, applause filled the room.

“First, I want to thank my parents, who raised me with the concept of public service as a good thing,” Hughson said. “I spent most of my life trying to make things better for others, through my 33 years at Texas State University and over 30 years of community and public service to others. Next, I want to thank my wonderful family and friends who supported me and worked so hard in 100-plus degree heat, the rain and good weather days.

“San Marcos is a great place,” she continued. “We are on a number of top 10 lists, and for very good reasons. We are a great place to live, work and play for all ages. That’s for you, your parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and children to come. I look forward to working with my council colleagues, those here today and the two who will be elected on Dec. 11.”

Hughson outlined the council’s top five priorities: workforce housing, public transit, stormwater initiatives, community partnerships and city facilities.

“I look forward to working together with everyone in our community to keep San Marcos a wonderful place for all of us. That means taking care of the river and our environment, our neighborhoods, and we will continue to welcome new businesses who make a positive change in our city. Please join me in keeping San Marcos an amazing place to be.”

City Council member Place 6  Melissa Derrick was sworn in for another term by community member Ted Breihan. Holding the microphone for Breihan is Tom Wassenich. Votes were also canvassed by council Wednesday evening.

Hughson then presented Derrick with her certificate of election, and former council member Ted Breihan administered the oath of office to Derrick.

“I am really honored to be able to serve my community again for three more years,” Derrick said. “We have a lot of work coming and I hope that we can find more unity as we work together during this time of growth. There’s a lot of changes, a lot of growing pains, that we’re going to be going through but I know that we can make San Marcos the best place that it can be for now, for future generations, for all the children to come.

“We have been given a jewel, the San Marcos River, and we are stewards of that river, and that will be central to a lot of decisions that we need to make, as well as protecting our neighborhoods. We’ve got to all pull together and work together on this.”

Council also called for the runoff election, scheduled for Dec. 11, for places 4 and 5 on the city council. Early voting for that election will be from Nov. 26-Dec. 7. 

Council chambers were packed Wednesday night as Jane Hughson was sworn in as mayor and Melissa Derrick to another term as Council member Place 6.