Keith Gaskin pledged to pursue accountability and embrace change after he was sworn in as Columbus mayor on Thursday before a large crowd at the Trotter Convention Center downtown.
“The big picture is easy to agree on,” he said. “We want our public schools to thrive. We need to make sure our budget is healthy. We need clear, consistent and accessible communication to ensure that our government is accountable to citizens. How we achieve those things is where it gets tricky,” he added later. “But with our capable city council members, and your participation and engagement, this is work we can handle. The reality is that our quality of life in Columbus, and the quality of our city itself, will be an exact reflection of the quality of our collaboration. If we focus on making good change our priority, that’s exactly what we’ll achieve.”
Gaskin’s speech rounded out a ceremony that saw the swearing in of the city council, including new council members Rusty Greene of Ward 3 and Jacqueline DiCicco of Ward 6. Speakers at the event focused on unity, with Gaskin saying the future is filled with promise when city council and citizens unite to achieve change.
In his speech, Gaskin said he is not a politician, but someone who shares a vision of bringing people together to uncover the city’s potential.
“When I see the tremendous untapped potential of Columbus, I get excited,” he said. “There are a lot of great people doing great things, but for a city to truly thrive, everyone needs to pitch in together. And someone must be willing to take on the responsibility of bringing people together and keeping things on track. That’s a lot to take on. It puts you under the microscope when things are good; even more so when they aren’t.”
Gaskin praised individuals who use their talents and skills to make a difference in the community, specifically naming Arlene Peek, a community counselor who works with the individuals suffering from mental illness and the incarcerated; Columbus police officer Rod Porter, who buys food and shoes for local children in need; and small business owners Ryan and Katherine Munson, who were key organizers in establishing the 3rd Saturday Art and Music Fair with the Columbus Arts Council to help highlight the work of local artists.
As his first act as mayor, Gaskin also presented the first ever Ernest Brown “Good Change” award for making Columbus a better place to the award’s namesake, Ernest Brown, who many people know as the “mayor of Northside.” For many years, Brown served as the president of the Neighborhood Improvement Association with his efforts leading to the opening of a police substation in the Boys and Girls Club on 14th Avenue.
“Year in, year out, he has consistently given back to his community,” Gaskin said.
Gaskin said that it is in the shadow of the examples set by Peek, Porter, the Munsons and Brown that he hopes to serve as mayor.
Gaskin concluded his speech by inviting people to help shape a vision for a better tomorrow.
“I am grateful for the trust and responsibility you have given me,” he said. “I invite you to share it with me so we can shape our vision of the Columbus we want for ourselves and our children. God bless you, Columbus. Let’s have some fun, and let’s get to work.”
Former chancery judge Jim Davidson swore in Gaskin, along with council members Ethel Stewart of Ward 1, Joseph Mickens of Ward 2, Greene, Pierre Beard Sr. of Ward 4, Stephen Jones of Ward 5 and DiCicco.
After the ceremony, DiCicco told The Dispatch she is ready to serve the community alongside a council who embraces a positive vision for Columbus.
“Our goal is to move the city forward in every way that we can,” she said. “We’re building on a foundation that’s been in place. We have a positive vision for the City of Columbus. The whole thing is — it’s a new beginning. Good change is what Keith has built his platform on and that’s what we want — good change and progress for Columbus.”
Greene agreed.
“I thought it was a great ceremony, a great way to start a new chapter in Columbus,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to make a difference here and getting to work.”
The ceremony also featured presentation of the Colors by the Columbus Air Force base Color Guard, music from the Columbus High School varsity show choir and band and a keynote speech by Rev. Rosalyn Nichols, whose speech also touched on the need for unity and the importance of ensuring the city’s resources are available to everyone.
“That’s the role of your newly elected mayor,” she said. “He will be tasked to remind this community to work to move resources closer … to not take it all for yourselves, but to leave some for someone else and to move it so that they can give it with dignity on their own. That is what will build better and a better future for all of the citizens of Columbus.”
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