New members debut at year's first meeting

A new session of City Council began Wednesday night with two newly-elected members taking part in their first meeting.\nRepresentatives Chris Sturbaugm of District I and Steven Volan of District VI were both enthusiastic about their very first, regular city council meeting of the year.\n"I'm really pleased to be on the council," Sturbaum said. "Each issue looked at will be given my full attention."\nWith the elections, Democrats maintained their majority lead over the council, and controlled the top three seats within the council -- president, vice president and parliamentarian. The council met Jan. 5 and elected council members to these positions as well as chose their assigned seats for the remainder of the term.\n"It felt like the first day of school," Sturbaum joked. "We were making seating charts and picking our assigned seats."\nOther returning council members expressed their hopes about both the newer members and the new leadership of the council, newly-elected president Michael Diekhoff said.\nDistrict V Representative David Sabbagh said the new changes should make for an effective council in cooperation with the new mayor.\n"I think the relationship between the council and the mayor's office will be good, and I hope that it will continue throughout the four years," Sabbagh said.\nCouncil members also thought Diekhoff would help lead the council.\nNewly elected parliamentarian and Council-at-Large, Tim Mayer, said he is enthusiastic about this term.\n"I am happy with the results," Mayer said. "I think that president Diekhoff, vice president Ruff and myself will work well together."\nSabbagh is also looking forward to the council's new leadership.\n"I think Mike Diekhoff will be a good president and run efficient meetings," Sabbagh said.\nDistrict II Representative Jason Banach said he is confident about the new members of the Bloomington government.\n"We have a new administration, a new mayor, a new council president and two new council members," Banach said. "I do not foresee a lot of changes. I am confident that everyone will be cooperative."\nBanach also said Sturbaugm and Volan will bring new ideas to the group.\n"I think they'll bring out new perspectives to the council," Banach.\nMayer agreed new blood will bring new viewpoints.\n"I think this is a whole new council," Mayer said. "Two new people will bring a whole different dynamic to the group. The new faces will invigorate the council."\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.