Graziano is new Richmond council president

Richmond City Council unanimously elected 4th District Councilwoman Kathy C. Graziano as its president during today's annual organizational meeting.

Sixth District Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson also was elected vice president, as the nine council members were sworn into office to begin four-year terms for the first time.

Mayor Dwight Clinton Jones was among several dozen city officials, business leaders and family members on hand for the meeting.

The new council includes eight returning members, plus newcomer Charles R. Samuels of the 2nd District. He replaced William J. Pantele, who also served as president and gave up his council seat in an unsuccessful bid for mayor.

The council members, who spent much of the past four years feuding with Mayor L. Douglas Wilder over money and power in the city's new form of government, stood and applauded after Jones promised to work with them to move the city forward.

Seventh District Councilwoman Delores L. McQuinn is officially starting another term but she won't be around for long.

She's the lone candidate in Tuesday's special election to fill the 70th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates, which Jones vacated when he became mayor.

Graziano said she hopes the eight remaining council members will have McQuinn's successor named next month.