Villager Ruth Kussard is the new mayor of Lady Lake.
She was the unanimous choice of her fellow commissioners on Monday night.
She shed a few tears when the selection was made and she received a standing ovation. The audience included about 30 residents of the Village of La Reynalda where Kussard lives.
“We made her the mayor of La Reynalda a long time ago,” said Villager Pat Holloway. “She’s going to be a great mayor for Lady Lake.”
The new mayor was surprised to see her son, Bob Kussard, who had flown from Arizona to see his mother take the oath of office for her new term on the Lady Lake Commission. (His plane was late, so he arrived as the meeting was already in session.)
Her husband Kenny was by her side when she took the oath of office. Kenny Kussard also pointed out that his wife’s maiden name was “Mayer.”
“It’s something she’s used to hearing,” he said.
She follows in the footsteps of previous mayor, Jim Richards, who had served as mayor since 2008 following the death of Mayor Max Pullen. Richards earlier this month won re-election in Lady Lake Ward 5. Kussard did not have an opponent in Ward 1. Commissioner Dan Vincent, who lives in Water Oak, also did not have an opponent. He represents Ward 3.
Vincent was selected as mayor pro tem.
