By Scott Nishimura
snishimura@bizpress.net
Fort Worth’s newest City Council member, Ann Zadeh, took her seat Tuesday night.
Zadeh defeated Ed Lasater in a June runoff to fill the unexpired term of District 9 Councilman Joel Burns, who stepped down to attend graduate school at Harvard University.
“I’m honored to have been elected to a dynamic district with engaged citizens…and this assures me my job will never be lacking for enthusiastic participation,” Zadeh, a city planner and former chair of the Fort Worth Zoning Commission, said after being sworn in.
Burns appeared live by video from Boston to congratulate Zadeh and the new city manager, David Cooke.
Council members welcomed Zadeh and joked about the loaded council agenda ahead for the evening, which included controversial zoning votes on cases involving the Fort Worth Stockyards and Glen Garden Country Club.
“This is a baptism by fire this evening,” Councilman Dennis Shingleton told Zadeh.
“We’re delighted to have you with us,” Mayor Betsy Price told Zadeh, noting it’s the first time in the city’s history that four women have served together on the council.
District 9 includes the Near Southside, TCU, Southside, downtown, Near West, and Oakhurst.