Jack Sims is in the saddle again. The venerable former mayor of District Heights will be returning to office to replace his old friend James Walls. He was sworn in at a ceremony attended by his family in the District Heights Municipal Building on July 11.
Jack Sims being sworn in by Sydney Harrison, Prince George’s County Clerk of the Court. (Courtesy photo)
This will be the third term for Sims, who will serve out the remaining two years of Walls’ term. Walls passed away unexpectedly on May 12.
Sims was elected as the first Black Mayor of the city in 1997 and re-elected in 2000. Currently, he is currently serving as a commissioner on the city council. Vice Mayor Eddie Martin had been serving as interim Mayor since Walls death. Sims will be eligible to run for another full term in 2018 when Walls’ term expires.
“This is indeed an honor and a privilege to once again to have the opportunity to serve the people of District Heights,” Sims said. “My goal is to help to keep moving the city forward. This is still one of the great towns in America and we want to keep it that way. We have a lot of opportunity to improve even more. Mayor Walls did an outstanding job and I want to honor that legacy by helping us to remain one of the most livable towns in Prince George’s County. I believe we did some great things in the past and we can do even more great things in the future.”
Sims was appointed to serve out Walls’ term by a vote of the City Commission in accordance with the city charter. He has been an active member in municipal politics and is highly respected across the state for his political acumen and leadership on a wide variety of issues. The city of District Heights named the Jack C. Sims Exercise Park Trail in his honor.
Sims was sworn in by Prince George’s County Clerk of the Court Sydney Harrison at a ceremony attended by Wayne Sprauve; Nancy Saxon, board member of the Prince George’s County Public Schools; Michael Herman; Justin Sims, the mayor’s son; Commissioner Harriett Irving; Forest Heights Mayor Jackie Goodall; Theresa Mulekye Mukoko; and Board of Elections member Beatrice Ann Tignor.
