Re-elected members sworn in at Bradenton City Council meeting

BRADENTON – Bemis Smith said Tuesday that he's watched his children grow up in photos – on his campaign material.

City Councilman Gene Gallo, right, swears in Bemis Smith as his sons McCrae, from left and Colin; his daughter Sara; and his wife Teri watched.

After he and two of his colleagues were sworn in for new terms on the Bradenton City Council at a special morning meeting in the council chambers before city employees and spectators, Smith gathered with his wife Teri, his daughter Sara and his sons McRae and Colin.

”The first time I was sworn in, Colin was in my arms when I took my oath,“ he said.

There are challenges ahead for the city, Smith said, and the council has much work to do.

”I'm excited. As I said during the campaign, the reason I was running was I think we're going through difficult times as a country, as a city, as a state,“ he said. ”I wanted to bring my experience back to be part of moving us out of that.“

Smith said his hope eight years ago was that the city would be on a normal trajectory of growth, he said, but it didn't happen, so he's glad to be back to see what he can do.

Councilwoman Marianne Barnebey was sworn in, as was Councilman Patrick Roff. In a final item, Ward 5 Councilman Harold Byrd Jr. was unanimously elected vice mayor of the city.

Byrd said he was honored. ”I promise I'll do it to the best of my ability, and be a good vice mayor for all of the city of Bradenton,“ he said.

With her husband, Mark Barnebey, sons Matt and Chris, and niece Emily watching proudly, Marianne Barnebey took the oath of office from Judge Gilbert Smith to continue serving in Ward 2.

Mayor Wayne Poston, right, swears in Patrick Roff on Tuesday morning.

Mayor Wayne Poston swore in Ward 3 Councilman Patrick Roff, and finally Ward 1 Councilman Gene Gallo swore in Ward 4 Councilman Bemis Smith.

Family support of service

”You can't do this without your family,“ Marianne Barnebey said. ”If your family doesn't support you, it's very hard. Most people might not realize that for the average person to go to Publix, it takes maybe 30 minutes. I never get out of Publix in less than an hour to an hour and a half because I will run into people that either want to talk with me about something or they have an issue or they have problems, and the average citizen doesn't know that, doesn't see that.“

Even going out to eat can be a challenge, she said, because people come up and interrupt. So having the family understand the job is important.

”If they don't support what you're doing, it would make your life so much harder,“ she said.

Bemis Smith also said that family is important. ”That's one of the reasons why you do what you do on council or in elective office, you're trying to make things better, not just for today but for down the road,“ he said.

Judge Gilbert Smith, right, swears in Marianne Barnebey as her son Matt, from left, husband Mark, niece Emily and son Chris watch.

Teri Smith said her husband is the perfect person for the job, and the family is very proud of him. ”He truly has a passion for our neighborhood and he works very hard,“ she said. ”He's very true to his word. People are lucky to have him.“

'A great honor'

”This is a great honor, and I don't take it lightly,“ Roff said after he was sworn in. ”I've learned much in my first four years, and I feel that I am better qualified to serve in the second term.“

Mark Barnebey said it was exciting to be at City Hall to see his wife sworn in for another term.

”This is the fourth time,“ he said. ”The boys have grown up and it's always a fun time of year.“

For Emily, 10, the Barnebeys' niece, this was her first time at a swearing-in. She said she was proud of her aunt.

For Marianne Barnebey, having the family and the citizens at the ceremony was very important, she said.

”It's an honor and a privilege to serve in your hometown.“