Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder and Vice Mayor Randy McBroom will be sworn into office in a ceremonial event at J.E. Woodard Elementary School on Thursday, January 12, 2023. This event will be held in the school’s gymnasium with limited seating. It is free and open to the public to attend. Visitors may begin arriving at 9:00am and the program begins at 9:30am.
Chaz Molder won his bid for a second term as Mayor of Columbia and Randy McBroom won his first election bid for Vice Mayor in November 2022. Both are looking forward to visiting Woodard for this event. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to be sworn in for a second term as Mayor for the city I love. And I’m even more excited to have the event in front of a school-wide assembly at Woodard Elementary,” exclaimed Mayor Chaz Molder. “Within that student body sits future public servants including the possibility of a future Mayor. It is my hope that, by bringing this event to them, the students will leave with an understanding of city government, and a love for their hometown.”
Newly-elected Vice Mayor Randy McBroom commented, “I am both honored and excited for the opportunity to be sworn in as Vice Mayor at J.E. Woodard Elementary School. What makes it extra special is that many of my family members have attended Woodard. It is a great honor to serve the City of Columbia.”
Woodard Elementary School Principal Carol Ann Jent was quick to embrace the idea of hosting this important, ceremonial event that will take place in front of her elementary school students. “We are thrilled Mayor Molder and Vice Mayor McBroom will be sworn in at J.E. Woodard Elementary,” stated Jent. “The future of Columbia is its youth and I am excited Mayor Molder is sharing this moment with our students.”
The schedule for the event:
9:00am – – Visitors begin arriving. Musical performance by Whitthorne Middle School Honor Band
9:30am – – Program Begins
- Presentation of the colors by the Columbia Police Department Color Guard followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem by third grade students
- Welcome by Woodard Principal Carol Ann Jent
- Oath of Office: Vice Mayor Randy McBroom and remarks
- First grade students sing “Grand Ole Flag”
- Oath of Office: Mayor Chaz Molder and remarks
- Musical performance by Honors Band
- Conclusion
All visitors will be required to check in at the front office of J.E. Woodard Elementary School located at 207 Rutherford Lane prior to the event. Visitors must present a valid driver’s license to receive a secure badge to enter the building. This event is free and open to the public with limited parking available on school grounds and limited seating in the gymnasium. (Visitors may choose to do a security pre-check prior to the event by stopping by the school during school regular hours 7:30am-4pm in order to have their badge ready ahead of the event.)
The event will also be available livestream on the City of Columbia’s Facebook page.
