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VIRGINIA BEACH — City Hall hummed with rounds of applause Tuesday during a special session to swear in new City Council members.
Many seats in the new building at the municipal center were filled with residents, city staffers and council members’ families.
After a taking an oath in front of a judge, five new members took seats at the dais: Amelia Ross-Hammond (District 4), Worth Remick (District 6), Jennifer Rouse (District 10), Joash Schulman (District 9) and Chris Taylor (District 8). Incumbents Barbara Henley (District 2) and Rocky Holcomb (District 1), both reelected, also were sworn in.
Their terms expire Dec. 31, 2026, with the exception of Holcomb, who is completing an unexpired term that concludes Dec. 31, 2024.
The new council marks the most diverse — and possibly the youngest — in city history with four Black representatives and four members under 45.
For the first time, only residents in the council members’ district elected them rather than voters from across the city. Virginia Beach ended its at-large voting system and implemented 10 single-member districts last year following a federal court order. In three of the new districts, minority voters form a majority of the voting population.
“This is a new beginning in so many ways,” said Mayor Bobby Dyer, noting that Virginia Beach also is celebrating 60 years since it became a city.
Each member addressed the audience, with many touting the role collaboration will play in bringing new perspectives to the city.
“It’s not just lip service,” Rouse, 36, told The Virginian-Pilot after the session. “I anticipate we’re going to work well together.”
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Taylor, 38, said he’s campaigned on bringing “a sense of decency back to civic duty,” and that he plans to set the example. He hopes his colleagues will also accept the challenge.
“We’re going to have a lot of work to do,” Taylor told The Pilot. “If we’re able to sit down and talk and hash it out, that’s what the people want.”
During the session, the council reelected Rosemary Wilson to vice mayor. Councilman Michael Berlucchi nominated Wilson, who has served in the position since last year and on council since 2000.
Rouse nominated Councilwoman Sabrina Wooten, who received two votes.
Remick abstained from voting for vice mayor and later said he wanted more time to consider the election process.
“I wish we had more discussion about it,” Remick said, echoing a sentiment Wooten also expressed at the meeting.
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com