Sapulpa gained a new Mayor and Vice Mayor in the same evening newly-elected city councilors are sworn in, and others say “goodbye.”
In the Sapulpa City Hall at 6:00 PM on Monday evening, Sapulpa City Council held a Sine Die meeting to recognize the results of the June 30th County Election, honor the outgoing councilors and swear in the newly-elected and appointed councilors.
Wes Galloway was the first to be recognized for his service, having served a single term in office beginning in 2016. In the proclamation given to him at his departure, Mayor Pro Tem Lou Martin, Jr said that Galloway had “demonstrated in many practical ways his deep and genuine love for the City of Sapulpa and its surrounding community.” Galloway will receive a permanent record of his service in the files of Sapulpa City Hall.
Next to be recognized was John Anderson, who retired after 34 years with Sapulpa City Council. He is listed as the longest-running city councilor Sapulpa has ever had. Anderson was given a similar proclamation to Galloway, and was also gifted with a watch from City Attorney David Widdoes in thanks for his extremely long tenure in office.
John Anderson recieves a plaque from City Manager Joan Riley 
John Anderson receives a watch from City Attorney David Widdoes.
The last recognition of outgoing councilors was an honorarium of the late Mayor Reg Green, who passed away in January. City Attorney David Widdoes invited Green’s widow Carolyn and his son Ryan to the front to receive a special plaque and proclamation honoring the longtime Mayor. The entire council and those in the audience stood and strongly applauded the Greens.
Swearing in new councilors
Hale and Naifeh being sworn in. 
Cummins being sworn in. 
Brian Stephens and Vickie Beyer being sworn in.
Joseph Hale is the newly-elected City Councilor for Ward 1, Seat 2, taking the seat previously held by Wes Galloway. Hale beat opponent Jasson Brook by just 42 votes to win the seat. Hugo Naifeh and Marty Cummins were the only ones to file to retain their positions for Ward 5, Seat 2, and Ward 3, Seat 2, respectively.
Since nobody filed to run for Ward 2, Seat 2, being left vacant by John Anderson, Brian Stephens was was chosen by the other Ward 2 councilor Carla Gunn to fill the vacancy. He was sworn in, along with Vickie Beyer, who was chosen to fill the vacancy left by Mayor Reg Green’s passing.
A new Mayor and Vice Mayor
When Mayor Reg Green passed away, it meant that Vice Mayor Lou Martin would step in to take his place as Mayor Pro Tem until the next election. At the first meeting of a new City Council, a new Mayor and Vice Mayor are voted in by the council. As Reg Green would have been Sapulpa’s longest-serving Mayor—had he been able to finish out his term—there hadn’t been a change in this area for quite some time. On Monday night, there were two nominations for Mayor: Craig Henderson, nominated by Bruce Bledsoe, and Mayor Pro Tem Lou Martin, Jr., who nominated himself. In a paper ballot election performed at the meeting, there were seven votes for Craig Henderson and one for Lou Martin. John Suggs, who was joining by Zoom, chose to abstain from voting.
There was a single nomination for Vice Mayor by Hugo Naifeh for Carla Gunn. As there was no other nomination for Vice Mayor, Gunn won by default.
Stay tuned for additional stories on this series of City Council meetings, including updates from Sapulpa Main Street and the development on 81st and Frankoma.
