Port Arthur said goodbye one of its city councilmembers Wednesday while welcoming his predecessor to the District 4 seat with a swearing in ceremony and a reception.

Keith Richard was sworn into office after winning the seat during the April 2 election, but not before Stephen Mosely talked favorably of his time helping to run the city.

“This has been a great opportunity for me to learn a little more about government, and I will take all the great friendships I have had and fostered with me,” Richard said.

Mosely’s resigned from his seat to run for the Precinct 3 City Commissioner seat, which he lost to the incumbent Michael “Shane” Sinegal.

Richard will fill the one-year unexpired term, before the seat is up for election next May.

“I want to thank my wife and daughter and others who came out on this rainy day to witness what a historical day this is for me,” Richard said while vowing to serve to the best of his ability and to keep three promises to the citizens of Port Arthur.

The first, he said, was to continue to be the voice of the people.

“Secondly, I will continue to have God-given integrity to keep and make things transparent,” he said.

Thirdly, he promised to be a bridge builder — to do anything and everything he could to keep the city moving forward.

Richard said he would work toward finding ways to improve the city’s streets and infrastructure, to curb unemployment by advocating permanent jobs, to beautify the city, and to work with the educational system to help students reach their dreams and goals.

“I am looking forward to working with you,” District 1 Councilman Raymond Scott said.

Scott, who has multiple family members in the ministry, praised Richard for his ministerial work, and said he looked forward to watching Mosely continue to work for a better Port Arthur.

Richard is pastor of two non-denominational, bilingual churches, one in Port Arthur and the other in Nederland.

“My father always reminded me to do the righteous thing,” Scott said, adding that the right thing is not always the righteous thing.

E-mail: skoonce@panews.com

Twitter: sgsturdivant