Hickory City Council met in regular session Tuesday (February 21). Appointed Ward 4 Alderman Reverend Dr. Anthony Freeman was officially sworn into office. He will serve on the Hickory City Council until the general election in November. Mr. Freeman fills the seat recently vacated by Ward 4 councilman David Williams.

Kari Dunlap with Martin Starnes & Associates presented the Annual Audit. Minutes, second readings, and the consent agenda were all approved. Mayor Hank Guess presented a proclamation for SkillsUSA Week to Gary Muller, CVCC Executive Dean of Economic Development and Corporate Education and Tammy Muller, Executive Director of Strategic Business Partnerships and SkillsUSA.

The mayor also presented a proclamation regarding 2023 being the Year of the Trail in North Carolina. This was presented to Hickory Metro Convention Center & Visitors Bureau CEO Mandy Hildebrand and Director of Sales and Marketing Sarah Jones.