Moore sworn in as mayor, names Solomon mayor pro tem after tense council exchange
A tense exchange between Felicia Solomon, Chris Suggs, and Don Hardy defined the final Kinston City Council meeting before the swearing-in of Kareem Moore, Les Lipford and Sammy Aiken, following the certification of the municipal election results.
The meeting began under the leadership of outgoing Mayor Don Hardy and included the final participation of outgoing council members Chris Suggs and Robbie Swinson.
Mayor Kareem Moore swearing in. Photo: Julie Babbin.
Before the swearing-in, council deliberations centered on whether to proceed with agenda items involving a lobbying contract and related budget amendments.
The confrontation unfolded early in the meeting as Solomon moved to remove or table agenda items related to a lobbying contract and associated budget amendments, arguing that major financial decisions should be delayed until the newly certified mayor and council members were sworn in.
Solomon cited transparency concerns and the lack of urgency, saying the incoming council deserved the opportunity to review the agreement and set priorities before public funds were committed.
Outgoing Mayor Don Hardy pressed Solomon on procedural requirements, repeatedly asking whether her request constituted a formal motion and emphasizing that agenda changes required a second to advance. When no second was offered, Hardy ruled the motion dead.
City Council Member Sammy Aikin swearing in. Photo: Julie Babbin.
The exchange escalated when Suggs sharply criticized fellow council members, accusing them of failing to read their agendas and emails and characterizing the debate as “posturing and grandstanding.” Suggs said council members had received full documentation in advance and argued that last-minute objections reflected a broader pattern of unpreparedness.
Solomon pushed back, rejecting the suggestion that her concerns were performative and saying that information being distributed did not equate to meaningful discussion or consent. She maintained that the issue was not opposition to lobbying itself but the timing, funding source, and lack of clear direction tied to the contract.
City Council Member Les Lipford swearing in. Photo: Julie Babbin.
Hardy eventually intervened to rein in the exchange, cautioning council members on decorum and steering the body back toward adopting the agenda. The agenda was ultimately approved over Solomon’s objection, allowing the meeting to proceed.
Following a recess, the city clerk formally read the certified election results and administered the oath of office to Moore, along with newly elected council members Sammy Aiken and Les Lipford.
Moments later, Moore exercised his first significant act as mayor by appointing Solomon as mayor pro tem.
