Chesterfield's Mayor, City Council Members Sworn In

Chesterfield's new mayor Bruce Geiger began his first term at a city council meeting Wednesday with words of gratitude to his voters and a promise that "the best is still ahead."

Geiger spoke during a swearing-in ceremony for himself and other recently elected or re-elected city council members. Current councilmen Matt Segal (Ward 1) and Randy Logan (Ward 3) re-affirmed their oaths of office along with new councilman Derek Grier (Ward 2).

"The message [of my campaign] was a commitment to build on past successes, have strong fiscal responsibility and a government that is responsive to our citizens," Geiger said. "The last 23 years have been great, but we have got the best still ahead."

Geiger cited the city's talented staff, its engaged political leadership and its active citizenry as the reasons for his optimism. He also called his wife, Lynne, up to the podium to thank her for her support during the campaign.

"She was there 24/7. She was there for the highs and for the lows," he said.

Segal, Logan and Grier will serve a two-year term. Geiger was elected to the two-year unexpired term left open when former Mayor John Nations stepped down to head Metro in the fall of 2010.

The move to the mayor's chair left Geiger's Ward 2 council seat vacant, so as one of the new council's first orders of business, Planning Commission Chairman Elliot Grissom was appointed to fill the position.

Grissom will serve the remainder of Geiger's term, which expires April 3, 2012, and said he intends to run for election to a full term. The move up means his spot on the Planning Commission is now vacant.

The council also elected Ward 3 Councilman Mike Casey as the president pro tem.

Ward 4 Councilman Bob Nation also won re-election, but he was not present at Wednesday's meeting. Nation and Grissom will be sworn in at a later date.

The council also recognized the efforts of former Ward 2 Councilman Lee Erickson, who ended his four-year tenure on the council Wednesday. Erickson had decided not to run for re-election, but Geiger said he will be missed.

"Lee has been an asset to the city. When it came to environmental things, he brought issues and ideas forward to us," Geiger said.

Erickson was presented with a plaque honoring his service. Ward 1 Councilman Barry Flachsbart was also presented with an award of appreciation for serving as interim mayor for six months.

Editor's note: This article was updated to include that Casey was elected president pro tem. This article was last updated at 9:55 a.m. on April 21, 2011.