Philadelphia DA, Controller Sworn In For Repeat Terms
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A half-empty Academy of Music was the site today as Philadelphia district attorney Seth Williams and controller Alan Butkovitz were sworn in to new terms in office.
Williams touted the city's declining homicide rate, but vowed to work for a safer city in his second term.
The Philadelphia Boy's Choir regaled the crowd before DA Williams, Controller Butkovitz, and a host of retained and newly elected judges were sworn in.
Williams noted that the city's homicide rate is the lowest in nearly a half-century. But more, he said, is needed.
"I can spout a buttload of statistics," he said, before quickly correcting himself to boatload, "on dropping crime rates. But both (words) are equally appropriate!" he said.
Williams alluded to his recent decision to take the case of Monsignor William Lynn to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court (see related story).
"Over the next four years, I promise to continue to champion the victims of child sexual abuse. We will fervently protect the defenseless in the dawn of life. We will hold accountable the offenders, and the institutions that protect them."
Meantime, Butkovitz began his third term as city controller with a wide-ranging speech befitting someone with higher aspirations. He called for, among other things, full-day kindergarten in city schools and "sensible" tax reform.
Butkovitz is widely expected to seek the 2015 Democratic nomination for mayor.