The Ketchikan City Council and Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly certified local election results during special meetings Monday evening.

The city officially has a new mayor, as longtime Mayor Lew Williams III stepped down and newly elected Mayor Bob Sivertsen took the oath of office, administered by City Clerk Katy Suiter.

“Do you, Robert Sivertsen, solemnly swear that you will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, the Constitution and the laws of the State of Alaska, and the charter and ordinances of the City of Ketchikan; that you will perform the duties of mayor of the City of Ketchikan Alaska upon which you are about to enter honestly, faithfully and impartially, and will do even and exact justice to all persons to the best of your ability?” Suiter asked.

“I do,” Sivertsen replied.

Also taking the oath were incumbent City Council Member Janalee Gage, who was re-elected to her seat; and newly elected Sam Bergeron, a former council member returning after a hiatus.

After the new council was seated, members ratified a resolution honoring Williams for his service to the city.

Williams, who co-owns the Ketchikan Daily News, first was elected to the Ketchikan City Council in 1987. Since then, he took just three years off, which means 28 years in local elected office.

In his new role as mayor, Sivertsen read the resolution out loud.

“Now therefore be it resolved by the Council of the City of Ketchikan, Alaska, as follows: The Council of the City of Ketchikan recognizes the efforts and accomplishments of Lew Williams III as both a council member and a mayor. The Council of the City of Ketchikan thanks Lew Williams III for his years of service to the community, and considers Ketchikan a better place to live because of his efforts,” Sivertsen read.

Council Member Judy Zenge was chosen as the new vice mayor.

For the borough, incumbent Felix Wong and political newcomer Sven Westergard were sworn in Monday to serve on the Borough Assembly.

Borough Mayor David Landis read a proclamation honoring departing Assembly Member Stephen Bradford for his service to the borough. Bradford was elected to the assembly in 2015. He previously served on the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School Board.

The assembly will choose a new vice mayor during its first meeting in November.