Simi Barnes was sworn in as the District 1 Columbus Councilor during Tuesday’s meeting, filling a seat that was held for 17 years by her late father, Jerry “Pops” Barnes, who died in 2024.
Before the swearing-in, Byron Hickey officially stepped down from the seat and delivered a farewell speech after the council proclaimed the day as Councilor Byron Hickey Appreciation Day.
The council chamber was standing-room-only as Superior Court Chief Judge Arthur Smith III and Probate Court Judge Marc D’Antonio administered the oath of office…