Marty Walsh Sworn In As Boston's New Mayor
BOSTON (CBS/AP) — Boston's first new mayor in two decades is wasting little time in getting down to work.
Following a swearing-in ceremony at Boston College on Monday morning, Marty Walsh addressed the city council and then hold a closed public safety meeting early in the afternoon.
Watch: Walsh's Inaugural Address
Walsh's inaugural speech highlighted his plans to stem violence, strengthen the school system, create jobs, and improve transparency in city government.
"I will listen, I will learn, I will lead," Walsh said.
Read: Walsh's Remarks
"Together we are sworn in together. Together, we are committing to do all we can for the city we love. Together, we can move our great city forward."
Walsh also paid tribute to former Mayor Tom Menino and thanked him for his advice during the transition.
"As a citizen of Boston, I am grateful for the lifetime of outstanding civic leadership by my predecessor, Boston's longest‐serving Mayor Tom Menino, and his wife Angela. As a legislative aide who started his political career in the same building where I started mine, to a district city councilor, to Mayor of our beloved Boston, his legacy is already legend and his vision is all around us."
Calling him a "dedicated servant" Gov. Deval Patrick offered his advice to Walsh prior to Walsh's swearing in.
"My advice to you is to remind you of why you wanted this job in the first place," Patrick said.
During last year's campaign, WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mary Blake asked Walsh what he'd do first if elected.
"The first thing is probably going to be sitting there going, 'Oh my God!' I think that's probably the first thing that I will do. The second thing will be to have a meeting in my office to talk about some of the violence and crime in our city," Walsh said.
One of his first tasks will be to select new fire and police commissioners.
After swearing in two new members of the school committee, he was scheduled to visit the New England Center for Homeless Veterans.
An inauguration celebration was held at the Hynes Convention Center Monday night, and featured performances by the Boston Pops, Dropkick Murphys and several local comedians.
Walsh, a former state lawmaker, replaces Tom Menino, the longest-serving mayor in city history, who decided not to seek re-election.
Menino went into the office for one last time this morning to leave behind a note for the new mayor. He was scheduled to take a flight to Florida from Logan Airport Monday afternoon. He said if he can't get out of because of all the airline delays, he'll have to start walking.
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