The Lady Lake Commission was unanimous Monday night in its selection of Mayor Jim Richards to continue leading the group.
The longtime mayor, who is a resident of the Village of Country Club Hills, was nominated to by Commissioner Paul Hannan to continue in the role, as was Commissioner Ruth Kussard to continue as mayor pro-tem. Both said they’d be honored to continue in those assignments.
“I love it,” Richards said. “I enjoy helping out.”
Richards, who has served as mayor since 2008 except for a couple of years when Kussard held the post, said he came to Lady Lake in 1994 as the town’s engineer and public works director and quickly fell in love with the town.
“When we were looking at the tough times in 2006-07, I knew the budget frontwards and backwards and I thought I could be of help,” he said. “I just enjoy doing it.”
For her part, Kussard, of the Village of a La Reynalda, said she’s thrilled to continue in the number two spot.
“The mayor does an absolutely great job and I’m always willing to be there if he can’t,” she said. “I think we have a great board.”
Earlier in the meeting, Richards, Kussard and Commissioner Dan Vincent were sworn in as commissioners. The three incumbents ran unopposed in this month’s election and will each serve another two-year term.