Tom Reid to become Pearland mayor emeritus

Pearland City Council voted to name Tom Reid as mayor emeritus at the Jan. 13 meeting. Reid will take on the role once he retires from his role as mayor.

“There was immediate interest to provide some avenue that is semiformal where you could continue to do some of the great things you have done in terms of representing this city in Pearland, in the metro area,” City Manager Clay Pearson said to Reid at the meeting.

The position is honorary and was created for Reid specifically. The role will allow Reid to represent the city at community events, ribbon-cuttings and similar occasions.

“It’s very unique,” Pearson said. “You probably won’t see another one of these, but it’s entirely appropriate.”

Wheels started turning for this position to be made as soon as the mayor announced he was stepping down in January, Pearson said. Reid’s retirement comes after serving as mayor for 39 years.

Council members expressed their appreciation of the mayor and the opportunity to work with him before passing the resolution 6-0, with Council Member Adrian Hernandez absent from the meeting.

“Your ability to hold the boat on a steady course and allow all of us to learn how to operate in a professional manner is unprecedented, I think, in governance at least that I’ve seen,” Council Member Trent Perez said.