Kinston mayor B.J. Murphy preached continuity during his campaign on the way to his reelection on Nov. 5. On Monday, he will make a move in the city council to maintain some consistency.
Murphy will reappoint Joe Tyson as the mayor pro tem at Kinston City Council’s regular meeting. Tyson will hold the position for the second consecutive two-year term, and third overall, as former mayor Johnny Moseley selected him in 2003.
“Joe is the most senior council member and that experience carried a lot of weight into making the decision in him continuing to serve this role,” Murphy said. “Joe also has a little bit more flexible schedule, so if I’m not available there’s a better chance he is for city functions. From conversations over time with members of the community, Joe Tyson has respect from a lot of individuals involved with city’s business.”
Murphy said he wanted to keep the consistency in the city council going and believed Tyson was a great fit.
“It certainly played a role in the decision,” Murphy said. “He’s one of the more vocal and respected members on the city council. He understands the role of mayor pro tem, which made this selection fairly easy to come up with.”
Tyson said he is ready to continue fulfilling his current role with the city council.
“These next two years will be a pleasure,” Tyson said. “I’m thankful to work on a capacity the mayor deemed necessary for me to have. Being on the city council has been pleasure, and I’ve worked with different mayors, such as Johnny Moseley, Buddy Ritch and now B.J. Murphy.
“My job is to study everything, analyze everything and come up with good decisions for the city. Whether I’m mayor pro tem or a city councilman, it’s a pleasure to serve. The mayor has the option to pick whoever he wants, and I feel honored to be chosen to work with B.J. closely again.”
Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.