Tears and hugs as Weatherford council shifts

Sally Sexton, Weatherford Democrat, Texas
·2 min read

May 18—WEATHERFORD — There were some teary eyes and a few cracked voices as Weatherford swore in two council members — one new — and said goodbye to another.

"I love Weatherford, and I think we're ending with a stronger community than we started with," Kevin Cleveland said, minutes before he left the dais for the last time as a member of city council. "And we just about have a full lake, so y'all are welcome."

Place 2's Zack Smith said Cleveland has been someone he's appreciated despite the short time he's gotten to serve with him.

"You've been a great leader ... and you do everything with a sense of business and I can appreciate that," he said, adding he intended to continue to reach out to Cleveland to pick his brain.

Mayor Pro Tem Heidi Wilder served alongside Cleveland the last nine years, and fought back tears Tuesday night as she told him how wonderful he'd been not only to her but to the city.

"There's a quality in you that makes everything right. You have led through example and were able to find a pathway where there seemingly was a wall," Wilder said. "The citizens love you because you do everything with integrity, honesty and in the best interest of the city of Weatherford. And I'm gonna miss you terribly."

Mayor Paul Paschall said Cleveland was there the day he was sworn in as a new mayor, and had been there ever since, always with a steady hand.

"If the train ever started wobbling on the track a little bit, he was the one that stabilized things," he said.

Place 3 Councilman Matt Tizkus, who was sworn in for another term Tuesday, said Cleveland had served as both friend and mentor, helping him become better as a council member.

And Luke Williams, sworn in Tuesday to take Cleveland's Place 4 seat, acknowledged the big shoes he was walking into.

"I've been at about every council meeting the last year and a half," Williams said. "You've always had a presence in what you said and you were listened to. You put some pride in Place 4 and that carries over to me."

Cleveland began his public service with the city in 2012 on the buildings and grounds committee. He would serve on a variety of boards and committees until being elected to the council in 2016, attending more than 300 public meetings since then.