On Monday, January 13th, I had the honor of being sworn in as Mayor of Salem during a special ceremony in the Salem City Council Chambers. It was an unforgettable evening, with a capacity crowd filling the room to celebrate this moment alongside four dedicated councilors who were also sworn in.
Some councilors chose their own officiants to administer the oath, while City Attorney Dan Atchison swore in the rest. I was deeply honored to have The Honorable Paul De Muniz, former Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court, administer my oath of office—a moment I will treasure forever.
As I looked around the room, I couldn’t help but feel that everything has come together by design. This council feels like just the right group for a time such as this in Salem, and I am excited to collaborate with them as we move forward.Â
One especially meaningful moment was when The Honorable Adrienne C. Nelson, U.S. District Court, District of Oregon, swore in Councilor Irvin Brown, representing Ward 5. Councilor Brown made history as the first African-American elected to Salem’s City Council, a milestone that reflects the progress and inclusivity we strive for in our community.
Thank you to everyone who attended or sent their well-wishes—it meant the world to me. As I begin this new chapter as your Mayor, I am more inspired than ever to work together to create a brighter, more connected Salem.
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