Among those taking the oath of office as a Hinesville City Council member on December 28 was a groundbreaking selection.

Jose Ortiz, who won a three-way race to replace Karl Riles as the District 5 representative, became the first Hispanic member of Hinesville City Council.

Hinesville’s Hispanic population has grown and according to the U.S. Census, Hispanics account for 13.6% of the city’s residents.

“I stand before you today humbled, honored and deeply grateful for the trust and confidence you have in me by electing me to serve on city council,” Ortiz said. “This victory is not mine alone. It belongs to each and every one of you who believed in our vision for a better future for our city.”

Ortiz said it was an honor to serve Hinesville City Council.

“I am deeply committed to serving the people of Hinesville with integrity, compassion and dedication,” he said. “I’m not perfect, but I promise you this — I always will give it all to the city and to the people of Hinesville, and to keep Hinesville a thriving city.”

Ortiz and returning council members Diana Reid, Jason Floyd and Vicky Nelson took their oaths of office from Liberty County Probate Judge Nancy Aspinwall.

Judge Stephen Kelley, a Glynn County Superior Court judge, administered the oath of office to Newby. The two worked together in the Wayne County Drug Court.

“We share gardening tips together,” Judge Kelley said. “We don’t share the same football team. But you couldn’t be getting a finer council member for the City of Hinesville.”

Reid, about to start her third term, also intimated it could be her final stint on the city council.

“I stand here today grateful for having been elected to my third term,” Reid said. “I thank God, my family, my friends and my support team for being with me every step of the way. From day one, I said I would serve this community and that statement holds true to this day.

“I serve the people — always have and always will.”

While governments pass laws and buildings and streets get renamed, Reid said her work will continue to be feeding the hungry and housing the homeless because it is God’s work.

“I will continue to be about God’s business and hard work to carry out His plan for me,” she said. “The costs of goods and services continue to increase, making the living in our city a daily struggle for most of our citizens. the average rental is $1,200 per month, so families continue to struggle. I will continue to plead for the case of affordable housing.”

Reid praised the city’s Azalea Street redevelopment project but said more of that needs to be done.

“We must mirror that project throughout the historic downtown area and this entire city,” she said. “We are not Savannah; we are not Statesboro, or even Richmond Hill or Pooler. We are Hinesville, and we will work together to make things better for our citizens.”

Floyd is currently the longest serving council member, taking office in 2010. Keith Jenkins, who did not seek re-election to his District 4 seat, had been the longest-serving member at 16 years.

“I am glad to be elected to my fourth year. It seemed like yesterday I was the new kid on the block. Now I’m the old man in the group,” Floyd said.

Floyd pledged to continue to do what he believes is right for Hinesville and to continue to make Hinesville “the best place to live in the state of Georgia.”

“Hinesville is where I was born and raised. It’s the community that I love,” he said. “I was raised from an early age that if you have the ability to give back, you should do so.”

Nelson also is embarking on her third full term in office. She thanked her district and those across the county who supported her.

“I look forward to serving you all and I look forward to continuing the work the city of Hinesville has begun,” she said.

Newby, a political newcomer, won the seat Jenkins vacated.

“I’m a firm believer that if you stop talking and listening, God will lead you in the direction you need to follow,” he said. “I want to thank the voters of District 4. The campaign is over, so I will make you this promise — I promise that I will serve the city and District 4 where you will have a person you can call anytime and I will represent you to the best of my ability.”

Newby said he also has a passion for affordable housing.

“There are homeless in the City of Hinesville and in Liberty County. Some of them have substance abuse problems and some have mental health problems, and some have both,” he said. “That is something we need to address. That underlying need needs to be addressed.”

The new members and the returning council members will hold their first meeting today at 3 p.m. at Hinesville City Hall.

“We feel have an excellent team assembled for the City of Hinesville,” said City Manager Kenneth Howard, “and not just the city, but the entire state of Georgia.”