Tom Buck is sworn in as District 8 Columbus councilor

After serving nearly four decades in the state House, Tom Buck was sworn in Tuesday night to fill the term of Columbus Councilor C.E. “Red” McDaniel, who died Nov. 3 after a serious illness.

Buck, 76, was sworn in by Superior Court Judge Gil McBride during a joint Proclamation Session and Columbus Council meeting at the City Services Center.

Buck said he’s honored to serve on the board. After taking the oath of office, Buck immediately took the seat in the well formerly held by McDaniel. At age 83, McDaniel died on Nov. 3, a month after he was treated for acute pancreatitis. He had served 38 years on the 10-member council, serving on the old city commission in the old county courthouse, the Government Center after consolidation and City Services Center off Macon Road.

Buck will represent Council District 8 for the next two years but has no interest in the seat during the municipal election in 2016.

Councilor Bruce Huff described how it felt to have served with the experienced councilor McDaniel and now with an experienced lawmaker in Buck. “I feel like I’ve drawn the correct numbers at the lottery,” Huff said to laughs in the council chambers.

Mayor Teresa Tomlinson hinted at what Buck could expect on the council. “It’s always fun but sometimes it’s long,” she said.

The former state lawmaker is returning to public office after serving 38 consecutive years in the Georgia House of Representatives. He was first elected to the House in 1966, filling the seat left vacant by Jack Brinkley, who successfully ran for the 3rd Congressional District seat.

Buck, a conservative Democrat and one of the longest serving lawmakers in state history, served 19 terms in the House and retired in 2003. He was respected for his knowledge on the state budget, tax law and policy.

A lifelong resident of the district, Buck is a graduate of Columbus High School and Emory University School of Law.

During his days at the state House, Buck was usually seen wearing black and white saddle oxford shoes, khaki pants and blue blazers. That was his attire for his first Columbus Council meeting.

This story was originally published December 2, 2014 at 8:41 PM with the headline "Tom Buck is sworn in as District 8 Columbus councilor."