PEORIA, Ill. — Two new faces joined the horseshoe Tuesday night in Peoria City Council chambers, sworn in alongside three incumbents elected last month to their at-large seats.
The new members are Dr. Bernice Gordon-Young and Mike Vespa.
Dr. Kiran Velpula retained his once-appointed seat, while John Kelly and Zach Oyler were re-elected.
Tuesday night’s meeting was also a farewell to two council members who chose not to run for re-election, Sid Ruckriegel and Beth Jensen.
“I want to wish the best of luck to the two council members-elect Bernice Gordon Young and Mike Vespa. I know you two will serve the city well and I both believe you both carry some of my attributes that will be missed when I leave,” Jensen said.
“I look forward to what you do with the work we have laid in foundation and where you carry that forward. And the new work that we have not been able to start and you will be able to do as well,” Ruckriegel said.
Jensen first joined the Peoria City Council in 2013. Ruckriegel was first appointed to the council in 2015.
