SPRING CITY—Mayor Cynthia DeGrey completed her term as mayor of Spring City last Thursday, Jan. 6 by presenting a gift to the city. The city council also made a presentation to her.
DeGrey became emotional as she explained, “I come from a really rich heritage of public service…My great-grandfather, James Anderson Allred, was the first mayor of Spring City.”
She added that her grandfathers and most of her brothers also have served as mayor or on the city council.
“So I felt like we really needed to give something more back to this community,” she said.
The “something more,” a gift from her entire extended family, was a print of a famous painting by Howard Chandler Christy of the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia in 1787.
The painting was commissioned in 1939 as part of Congress’s observance of the sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) of the adoption of the Constitution in 1789. The original hangs in the U.S. Capitol rotunda.
DeGrey suggested the print could hang behind the mayor’s chair in the Spring City Council Chamber, now in the restored Spring City school.
Mayor Chris Anderson, who was sworn in the same evening taking DeGrey’s place, said, “I just wanted to return the favor to the mayor for her service. I’ve got a little plaque for her, some flowers to present to her.
“We appreciate all the work that she’s done. It’s been amazing what she’s been able to accomplish in the time she’s served. We appreciate her efforts.”
“This is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, I’ll admit that,” DeGrey said. “…But it’s also very rewarding. What an honor to have been able to serve as your mayor, so thank you very much.”
