Making this city great again! Mayor Jackson's Inauguration Promise

Submitted by Ed Hauser on Tue, 01/03/2006 - 12:18.

Mayor Frank Jackson 

Mayor Frank Jackson was sworn in as Cleveland's 56th mayor by Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones on January 2. It was a full house at East Technical High School with most of the city council members present to honor their former president. The new mayor received standing ovations as he entered the room, took the oath of office and after he finished his inspiring inaugural address.

The theme of Mayor Jackson's address elaborated on the his campaign promise- “We are One city. We are One people, with One mission- to make Cleveland great again!” The mayor went on to say “this is not about me this is about the future of Cleveland. I will not always be mayor, but when I leave, Cleveland will be better off.”

He focused on the the importance of education and that his administration will work diligently with the board of eduction because he believes that “everything begins with eduction.” He said, “the children will learn from what we do, not what we say.” He reassured the audience that Cleveland will settle for nothing but the best. The best in education, safety, jobs, and quality of life.

His vision is to have Cleveland become a city of choice. That people from around the country will come here to live because of our great schools, economy and many assets. He wants to work with the region's mayors and managers to build a strong regional economy and plans to appoint a cabinet position for that purpose.

The new mayor made it clear that we always have to keep in mind that the measure of a great city is how we provide and treat the least of us and how we ensure that the least of us are better off. He challenged the people of this community by saying “I need your help, the gates of the city are open and you need to help make this city great again."  After the inauguration ceremony, Mayor Jackson received several hundred of his constituents and greeted them individually.

Celebrate Cleveland! at the Inaugural Party
Join Mayor Jackson in celebrating Cleveland's diversity at the Inaugural Party.

This event is free and open to the public.
Saturday, January 7, 2006 – 6:00 pm until Midnight
CSU Wolstein Center – 2000 Prospect Avenue

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Everything I've seen has been positive

Submitted by Norm Roulet on Tue, 01/03/2006 - 12:42.

Sounds like an inspiring moment. On top of everything else going on in the region, the combination of a new mayor and new schools CEO for Cleveland will make the next few years amazing. I like what I see of Jackson and the schools situation, as well as so much else happening in the region, I'm becoming upbeat about our local economy.

Cleveland in the 22nd Century

Submitted by Evelyn Kiefer on Tue, 01/03/2006 - 13:11.

Its still hard for me to accept that Jane Campbell lost. I think she did n't get enough credit for the good things she did. Cleveland IS a better place since her term in office. That said, I'm optomistic about Jackson. I just hope his plans consider Cleveland in 50 and 100 years from now. We have had far too many leaders with nearsighted vision that just put a bandaid on the City's problems for the 4 or so years they are in office. If more leaders had thought beyond their term and their generation we would have a cleaner lake, good public transportation, less sprawl, less racism and poverty, and Millionaires Row would be a major tourist attraction.

I can believe that Campbell

Submitted by DerekArnold on Tue, 01/03/2006 - 15:09.

I can believe that Campbell lost.  Last time out, she barely won over a man who no one knew (Raymond Pierce).  One reason is that some very well liked council people (such as Dona Brady, Joe Cimperman and Jay Westbrook -- who all represent West Side or Downtown wards)  and people such as Bill Mason, County Prosecutor, threw their support behind Jackson.  Many of their constituencies followed suit as this PD article states.  That coupled with blacks voting less for Campbell (she has been rather aloof from the black community) spelled victory for Jackson.

 

But, some of the criticisms of Jane Campbell were related more to her gender than her ability to govern. That is unacceptible.  There were remnants of Mike White's tenure that made it more challenging to be the Mayor that fell into Jane Campbell's lap.  However, I couldn't help but feel a disconnect between her and the pulse of the city.  She was also disconnected from the lion's share of corporate interests so they didn't have her back either...meaning, she gets to teach at Harvard while Mayor Jackson (hopefully) moves Cleveland forward.   

 

Derek Arnold

And we move on

Submitted by Norm Roulet on Tue, 01/03/2006 - 20:21.

You got it. Interesting four years past, when there was some progress. Big issues and challenges ahead - with good leadership, Jackson can have a huge success. From what I see, that will happen.

Thoughts on Mayor Jackson's Inauguration

Submitted by Sudhir Kade on Wed, 01/04/2006 - 11:03.

I had the pleasure of attending Jackson's swearing in and as I shook the New Mayor's hand I coudn't help but think, this is a good man.  Jackson hasn't been known for being a scintillating speaker, but his message of 'one people, one Cleveland' and his stalwart commitment to the underprivileged of our community punctuated a humble and effective delivery. 

I think Jackson's mixed heritage (African American and Caucasian) makes him a living symbol of racial integration and unity.  We have such amazing diversity in our city but these ethnic groups remain somewhat isolated and segregated.  I think Jackson's message of unity can help drive a shared vision toward racial integration, interaction, and harmony.  

I forsee great cultural celebrations in the future which celebrate the beautiful arts, music, food and dress of the many diverse ethnic groups who call NEO and Cleveland home.  Integrating all these aspects fosters an appreciation for those different from us and their cultures.  Transcending the whole process would be, hopefully, an appreciation of the commonalities and the oneness we all represent.   I also think cross-cultural teams of all kinds need to become a standard paradigm for future change efforts for our region.  As people work together intimately, barriers and prejudices fall.

Jackson is just the figure to drive forward such progressive outcomes.  His message of regional economic development is a welcome change from Campbell's city-focus. As former President of City Council he represents a unique alignment and synergy with that group.  I am confident Jackson can drive significant positive changes in the near term.  Jackson's promise to the people of this city and region is simple: he intends to leave behind something greater than he started with.  It will be up to all of us to hold him and his administration accountable to this promised dedication and passion.