COLUMBIA, S.C. — On Tuesday, City of Columbia residents elected Daniel Rickenmann as the next mayor of the city. This is the first time the city will see a new mayor in more than a decade.
"Lets spend the next 4 years making Columbia great," said Mayor-Elect Rickenmann. "I think the first step is really to convene the community. I really want to push forward what Mayor Benjamin started with One Columbia put a strategic plan from there."
Carl Blackstone is the President of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. He said the city is going to see some new changes under new leadership.
"I've talked to the new mayor-elect several times," Blackstone said. "His goal has been to let's focus on the basics. Let's work on making Columbia look better, let's focus on what does it take to bring jobs here, investment here. And those are the things that we've not seen as of late, so I think it's going to be a great opportunity for Columbia."
With Rickenmann preparing to enter a new role, city council will also see changes.
City residents also elected three new council members, including a new at-large member, meaning half of the council will be made up of new faces.
"This is the first time in decades that we've seen this much change," Blackstone said.
"People in the City of Columbia will look forward to a continuation of good government with the City of Columbia," said Columbia Council Member Howard Duvall.
Duvall told News 19 it's going to be interesting to get the new council members up-to-date on projects.
"I think the fact that we've got some experience in the mayor seat with Mr. Rickenmann, and the fact that Miss Herbert has served as an employee for the City of Columbia and brings some experience to that position, means that we will have an experienced council working together very soon."
Duvall says the new elected officials need to get together to learn more about each other and get comfortable with one another as a council to figure out what the direction to take Columbia in.
Rickenmann and all new council members will be sworn in on January 4.