New Chandler City Council Member OD Harris shares a moment with his mom after taking the oath of office on Jan. 14, 2021.City of Chandler
By Paulina Pineda | Arizona Republic
One new Chandler City Council member, in a black tuxedo with a velvet green bow tie, arrived by limousine to his swearing-in ceremony at City Hall. The other was flanked by dignitaries from her native country of Haiti.
OD Harris and Christine Ellis enthusiastically embraced the pomp and circumstance of inaugurations, the importance each place in their elected positions on full display.
Surrounded by family and friends, Ellis said they likely would’ve packed the council chambers if it weren’t for pandemic protocols.
Harris couldn’t be reached after Thursday’s ceremony, but his wife, Elizabeth, posted photos and her thoughts on the ceremony.
“It is so critical that children of color see people that look like them in these public servant roles,” she wrote on Facebook. “So they know they can be in the White House, the Senate, Congress. They can be the councilman, councilwoman, the mayor.”
Ellis told The Arizona Republic she feels blessed. “But with that blessing comes a great responsibility to make sure I live up to the expectations people have that I will work to make Chandler better.”
