BRADENTON -- Some familiar faces and a newcomer were sworn into office at Bradenton's City Hall Wednesday morning.

The Bradenton City Council met briefly Wednesday to see Mayor Wayne Poston and councilmen Gene Gallo and Harold Byrd, Jr., sworn into new terms while newly elected councilman Gene Brown took his first oath of office.

Poston clinched his fourth mayoral term in November, winning the election over Marianne Barnebey and Richard O'Brien. Gallo and Byrd ran

unopposed in the general election.

"People voted for me again and I'm amazed by that," Poston said. "I'm looking forward to 2013 and finishing a lot of projects and starting some new projects."

Poston, a former editor of the Bradenton Herald, said he didn't expect to enjoy such longevity as a political figure.

"I can't believe I've been in office as long as I have," he said.

Brown won a three-way battle in November for the Ward 2 seat vacated by longtime councilwoman Barnebey. Brown, who beat out George Mendez and Binnie Williams, will finish the final two years of Barnebey's term. The council seat became vacant after Barnebey ran unsuccessfully for mayor.

"I'm excited about him," Poston said. "I think he's going to be a great participant in the city."

Poston contemplated showcasing a keepsake for his many years in office, but decided against it. As he said, he's looking forward to new things.

"I still have the tie I wore when I gave my first announcement speech for mayor," he said. "Now it's a new day."

Nick Williams, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-748-0411 ext. 7049. Twitter:@_1NickWilliams.