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With his wife and three children by his side, Spence Broadhurst was sworn in Tuesday night as mayor of Wilmington.
Newly elected council members Lethia Hankins and Bill Saffo were also sworn into office, as was Laura Padgett, who was re-elected to the council last month.
Mrs. Padgett was unanimously elected mayor pro tem, primarily an honorary position that requires her to fill in when the mayor is absent.
Councilwoman Kath-erine Moore, who has been mayor pro tem for the past 10 years, surprised some people by nominating Mrs. Padgett. Ms. Moore said she was honored to do so.
Ms. Moore said she sold her trucking business and divides her time between Wilmington and Miami, where her daughter is in law school.
The newly elected officials gave brief speeches, beginning with Mr. Broadhurst. He began his speech with several jokes, but quickly got down to business, saying "we're here to get to work."
He said the council wouldn't agree all the time. But he said he plans to begin with an agenda developed by the entire council, with a focus on economic development.
Mr. Broadhurst said he wants to get a proposed transportation center back on track and that he looked forward to working with Cape Fear Community...