For the first time in history, the Keyser City Council swore in four new members, with a fifth to be appointed on July 14 — five new faces that want to see change and improvement in the city.
Mayor Glen “Bunk” Shumaker took David Sowers, Ed Smith, James Endler and William “Sonny” Rhodes on a tour of the city’s facilities where they got to meet city employees and see how the town operates.
“We’re going to see a big difference,” said Shumaker. “I spent the morning with all of them until a little after noon, and introduced them to all of the town employees. I feel they will all be great to work with. They are five members that will be working to bring everything up to speed.”
Council member appointments will be made during the next regular meeting scheduled for Monday, July 14 at 4 p.m.
During that meeting, Shumaker will be appointing a fifth council member to take over former finance commissioner George Chidester’s position.
“I’ll make an appointment and it will be up to the council to approve it,” said Shumaker. “I got a couple of people in mind. I’m still in the process of talking to them.”
After the four new council members signed the oath of office — overseen by city administrator Deborah Pamepinto — Shumaker asked the new quorum to pass a motion stating that everything will remain as it is until the July 14 meeting when appointments will be made.
Sowers made the motion which was seconded simultaneously by Endler and Miller.
Rhodes expressed to the council that he looks forward to working with them while Shumaker said he is glad to have Rhodes as a member and hopes to make “leaps and bounds of progress.”
Sowers’ wife, Kristi, said a word of congratulations from the audience of the council chamber.
“Congratulations to everyone up there,” said Sowers. “It’s an exciting time to have four new council members.”
Some points of discussion that will be addressed at the next council meeting involve a parking issue, and the rat situation on Carskadon Road.
“We also hope to finish up the study on how much nitrogen and phosphorus is contained in our waste water,” said Shumaker. “Once that study is done and we know where we fall with the federal government, we will know what corrections we have to make at the plant.” 
Shumaker also added that the council will continue working on obtaining funding for a new water filtration plant.
A work session that is open to the public but not public comment is slated for Monday, July 7 at 5 p.m.