In a special session this past week, newly elected Oakdale City Council member Kayleigh Gilbert, re-elected council member Christopher Smith and re-elected Mayor Cherilyn Bairos officially took their seats on the council dais. They took the seats after first having the oath of office administered as part of the swearing in process.

The council chambers were packed with friends, family and supporters of the trio; Gilbert and Smith were the top two vote getters in a three-way race for two available seats on the council in November. Mayor Bairos was unopposed in her re-election bid.

Council member Smith has been serving as mayor pro tem and will continue in that capacity. New council member Gilbert is fresh off of her win in the recent election, receiving the most votes of the three council candidates.

After being sworn in, each council member had the opportunity to say a few words, but it was the speech from Mayor Bairos that touched the hearts of many in the audience. As she thanked her family and friends for their constant support, the mayor offered a special thanks to her wife for sticking by her through it all. As Bairos began to get choked up, the emotions boiled over and she let a few tears fall. Many attendees also became teary eyed listening to her heartfelt words.

The council typically meets every first and third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 277 N. Second Ave., Oakdale, and the meetings are open to the public.