Thank you all for coming tonight. I’m very honored and proud to be taking on this new role and responsibility. I would like to begin by recognizing the most recent homicide victim here in Richmond. Victor Ramirez was a recent immigrant from El Salvador. His death was a tragic and senseless act of violence. I would like to ask you all to join me in a moment of silence for Victor Ramirez and for all those who have lost their lives to violence in our community over the past year.

It was the great African-American writer, James Arthur Baldwin, who said: "Not everything this is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced."

1. We clearly have our challenges to face going forward in Richmond. Let me say that my approach to our problems and my philosophy of government is all about collaboration. Having been awarded the honor of being elected mayor, I consider myself first among equals on the council. Over the next four years, it will be our turn to show results.

And, in order to be successful, our collaboration must go beyond government and be extended to the community. We need only look at the civil rights movement, the women’s movement, worker’s rights and other movements of historic importance, to realize that change did not originate inside government, but rather outside of it. It is from within the mobilized efforts of affected communities themselves-- abolitionists, unions, environmentalists, students-- that we see the birth of change. It is the task of Government to ask itself how can it facilitate and contribute to true community empowerment. A government that fails to contribute to community empowerment is a government that is doomed to failure.

2. It is clear our single most important issue in Richmond is our crime. While we strengthen law enforcement, giving it what it needs to enforce the law, we must not not deceive ourselves, we must be realistic in our understanding that law enforcement alone will never eradicate our violence. The roots of crime are systemic in nature. Poverty and the lack of job and education opportunities are the core systemic problems that give rise to crime. Our challenge in Richmond is to become a role model for solving these systemic problems. But in order to do this, an investment is required at a level greater than that which currently exists . . . it will take enhanced community efforts, a more cooperative city council, increased revenue, and a further commitment of free-time from us all to begin to turn around our endemic violence. Let us rise to this challenge and this privilege to present a bright future for our young people.

3. To do this we, as a City, must depend upon our own initiative and the inherent abilities of our residents. We will flourish and become a healthy and sustainable city only if we believe in ourselves. The future of Richmond demands a robust local economy; one that keeps money circulating within our city. This is an achievable goal. Richmond has had this in the past and can have this again. We are a city of great untapped potential. We must focus our energies on becoming more innovative and more inventive. We want smart growth, sound policy, and responsible environmental programs . . . we want to do the things that other cities will emulate.

4. I want to say that I do not intend to be a ceremonial mayor. I will be a problem solver and not a ribbon cutter. Although the office of the mayor cannot solve all the problems, I am committed to setting the tone for a healthy collaborative process. We must not look for quick fixes, but rather encourage evidenced-based efforts and make our decisions based on the merits and the facts.

5. I am convinced that Richmond’s best days are ahead. Results will take time, but the time is now to start planting the seeds of change. Let us demonstrate to California and the world that a city deluged with difficulties can resurrect itself with full principles intact. Our shared values of social, economic and environmental justice, along with our intelligence, creativity, and political will can and shall lead us to better times.

6. I would like to end by giving my heartfelt thank you to all the people of Richmond who have worked and will work to make it better, to my colleagues, past and present, on the council, and to the efforts of Mayor Anderson who has served Richmond for the last 5 years.

Thank you all very much.