PEORIA, Ill. — After the Peoria City Council decided two Saturdays ago it would name Dr. Kiran Velpula to fill the at-large seat vacated when Dr. Rita Ali became mayor, the seat Tuesday night officially became occupied.
After Velpula was sworn in by City Clerk Stefanie Tarr, he gave a quick speech.
“I’m very excited and happy to be here today, and to be selected for the at-large position,” he said. “I feel extremely responsible and accountable.
“I wanted to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to all the council members seated here, and Mayor Dr. Rita Ali, and special thanks to City Manager [Patrick Urich], City Clerk [Tarr], and staff for helping my incoming. I wanted to take time to thank my parents, my wife, my son, my siblings, my family, my relatives, and to all my very good friends for believing in me.
“I wanted to thank the citizens of Peoria for blessing my family. I’m nervous, as you can see, but I’m eager to work with the learned council, and with the mayor, Dr. Rita Ali.”
Velpula was promptly seated and began voting.
His term is set to run through May 2, 2023.
