Good evening everyone. My name is Crystal Mia Asi and it is my honor to serve. It is my honor to serve as Mayor Elect Solomon's incoming deputy chief of staff and to chair this inauguration committee. Today marks an important day for Jersey
City. A day where your voices were made heard. Residents who worked for a government that worked for the people. As Mayor elect James Solomon prepares to take the oath of office, we are reminded of our responsibility to serve and our shared responsibility to move Jersey
City forward. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the city staff, volunteers, to NJCU staff, and the inauguration committee who made today possible. I would also like to extend um my thank yous to all of you for being here to witness this historic
transition. At this time, it is my pleasure to welcome our city clerk and master of ceremony, Shawn Gallagher. >> Thank you so much. I'm honored to be here tonight, not only as city clerk of Jersey City, but as your master of
ceremonies. This year, the United States of America celebrates our 250 year anniversary. Tonight, 188 years later, after our first mayor, Dudley Gregory, was elected, we celebrate the inauguration of our 50th mayor, James
Solomon. As we welcome the newly elected mayor and council members, let us wish them a successful, peaceful, and prosperous four years. Please rise for the presentation of the colors. Join us. Joining us are the
Jersey City Police Honor Guard, the Jersey City Fire Department Honor Guard, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department pipe and drum band. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. Thank you very much. Please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance led by Carter Braley McCord from St. Joseph School of the Blind and our national anthem performed by Aiden C. McCullen Corell at St. Peters University.
Um, I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for Aw. Oh, say you see by the dawn What so proudly we at the twilight last
stripes and bright stars through the weed were so streaming and the rockets red in
gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, see does that star spangle for the land
of the free and All the breaks. Please remain standing while we retire the colors. Heat. Heat. Hey,
hey, hey. Please be seated. For our invocation, we will be led in prayer by pastor Doris Cherry of the Miracle Temple Pensaconttoal Church along with Rabbi Lenny Morett from the
Temple Beth El Reverend Father Hugman David Bowe from St. George and St. Senuda Coptic Church and Hazf and I'm sorry if I'm mispronouncing your names. Amadi from the Muslim Federation of New Jersey and also Reverend John Brown,
pastor of Oldberen Church. We also like to recognize Pastor Rodriguez. The prayer is in your program and you're all welcome to pray with us this evening. Creator of all, we gather here today
with open hearts acknowledging the diverse path that have brought us together. We thank you for this shared space, for the opportunity to connect and for the gifts of life, community,
and purpose. Bless the leader we inaugurate today. May we be mindful of those in need, extending compassion and service to others. Protect us from division and selfishness, and help us to
embody the best of our shared humanity. Amen. Amen. And now for one of the moments we've been waiting for. I would like to invite Councilwoman and Council President Denise Ridley to
come forward to commence the administration of oath of office with the municipal council members. And before she takes the oath, I just got a little something to say about our council president. Council President
Denise Ridley is the first threetterm council person in the great ward A and the first African-American woman to do so as well. So, it's a very special night for her.
left hand. Yep. Right. Councilwoman, >> repeat after me. I >> I >> Denise Ridley >> Denise Ridley >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution
>> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith >> that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the same >> and allegiance to the same >> and to the government established
>> and to the government established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority >> under the authority >> of the people >> of the people >> and that I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly
>> and justly >> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties >> of the council person >> of the council person >> representing Ward A >> representing Ward A >> of the city of Jersey City >> of the city of Jersey City >> for a term commencing >> for a term commencing
>> on January 15, 2026 >> on January 15th 14, 2026 >> and terminating on January 14th, 2030. >> and terminating on January 14th, 2030. >> According to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God.
>> So help me God. >> Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. I said it at our council meeting. He's not happy that his mom is the council president now. a lot of long nights. At this time, I would like to invite up
Joel A. Brooks, our new Ward B council person. Hi there. I'd like to invite County Commissioner Bill O Day to swear me in. pictures. >> Oh, okay. >> Uh, you want to stand?
>> So, I think you're on I'm on this side. >> All right. >> Who's gonna hold the Bible? Can you hold? >> So, you got to hold the Bible, young lady. >> Okay. >> Left hand on the Bible right here. >> Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. Hi, Marisol. Hi, Esme. >> You could have brought the rest up. I
know >> you're allowed to bring a whole crowd. Just so left hand on the Bible, right hand up. >> You'll get it after a few terms. Don't worry. >> I >> I >> Joel A. Brooks >> Joel A. Brooks
>> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution of >> in the Constitution of >> the State of New Jersey >> the state of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith and
allegiance to the same >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> and to the government established >> and to the government established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people
>> and that I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties of >> all the duties of >> council person >> council person >> representing Ward B >> representing Ward B >> of the city of Jersey City
>> of the city of Jersey City >> for a term commencing >> for a term commencing >> on January 15, 2026 >> January 15, 2026 >> and terminating on >> and terminating on >> January 14th >> January 14th, >> 2030.
>> 2030. >> According to the best of my ability. >> According to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Thank you. >> I got a pen. >> Sign it right now. There you go. It doesn't matter.
>> Okay. >> There you go. >> All right. Thank you. >> At this time, I would like to bring up Thomas Zuper, the new Ward Council person. Other way.
>> Repeat after me. I Tom Zupa Jr. I, Thomas Super Jr. do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the state of New Jersey
>> that I will bear true faith >> that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance >> and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the government >> and to the government >> established in the United States >> established in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully and that I
will faithfully, >> impartially, >> impartially, >> and justly, >> and justly >> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties >> of the council person representing W C >> of the council person representing W C >> of the city of Jersey City >> the city of Jersey City >> for a term commencing on >> for a term commencing on
>> January 15, 2026 >> January 15, 2026 >> and terminating on >> and terminating on >> January 14th >> January 14th >> 2030 >> 2030 >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. That's all thank God. Congratulations.
>> Of course. Of course. Congratulations. >> At this time, I would like to invite up Jake Efro, our new Ward D council person. I'd like to invite my dear friends and neighbors Carol and Roger Kieran to come to the stage and swear me in.
Thank you. >> Ready? >> Yep. Yes. I, Jake Ephro, >> I, Jake Ephro, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States
>> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> and to the government established in the
United States and in this state >> and to for the government established in the United States and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully impartially and justly perform all the duties
>> and that I will faithfully impartially and justly perform all the duties >> of the council person representing Ward D of the city of Jersey City >> of the council person representing Ward D of Jersey City
>> for a term term commencing on January 15th, 2026. >> for a term commencing on January 15, 2026 >> and terminating on January 14th, 2030. >> and terminating January 14th, 2030.
>> According to the best of my ability, so help me God. >> According to the best of my ability, so help me God. proud of you. Thank you so much. >> At this time, I would like to invite up Elena Little, our new W E council
person. Here we go. Um, and I am being sworn in tonight with my family and friends by my side. I am being sworn in by Assemblywoman Katie Brennan. I, Elena Little >> I, Elena Little,
>> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New
Jersey. that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. >> and to the government established in the United States. and to the government established in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state
>> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully, impartially, and justly >> And that I will faithfully, impartially, and justly >> perform all the duties of the council person representing Ward E.
>> perform all the duties of the council person representing Ward E. >> of the city of Jersey City. of the city of Jersey City >> for a term commencing on January 15, 2026. >> for a term commencing on January 15, 2026.
>> and terminating on January 14th, 2030. >> and terminating on January 14th, 2030. >> According to the best of my ability. >> According to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. At this time, I would like to invite up
our returning Ward F. Council person, Frank Educational Gilmore. There's not one. Oh, thank you everyone. Um, I will be inviting up Mayor Raz J Baraka to swim.
>> Repeat after me. I, Frank E. Gilmore. I, Frank E. Gilmore, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey
>> that I will bear true faith >> That I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the same. >> and allegiance to the same. and to the governments established in the United States. >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people. under the authority of the people
>> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> and partially >> and partially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties of the council person >> all the duties of the council person >> representing Ward F >> representing Ward F >> of the city of Jersey City
>> of the city of Jersey City >> for a term commencing >> for a term commencing >> on January 15, 2026 >> on January 15, 2026 >> and terminating >> and terminating on January 14th >> on January 14th,
>> 2030. >> 2030. >> According to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Thank you, mayor. Great job. At this time, I would like to invite up our new council person at large, Michael
Oliver Griffin. At this time, I would like to invite Reverend Rufus Stru, my parents, my wife, aunts, and grandmother up here to surround me. And also, I want to thank Daniel Ali and
the Cunningham family for allowing me to use Glenn Cunningham's Bible to get sworn in on tonight. >> Happy birthday, Ma. Jazela, come on. Mhm. >> I, Michael O. Griffin
>> I, Mike Oliver Griffin, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith
>> that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the same >> and allegiance to the same >> and to the government established in the United States >> and to the government established in the United States. and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people
>> under the authority of the people. and that I will faithfully >> And that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties >> all the duties >> of a council person at large >> of a council person at large >> of the city of Jersey City
>> of the city of Jersey City >> for a term commencing >> for a term commencing >> on January 15th >> January 15th >> 2026 >> 2026 >> and terminating >> and terminating >> on January 14th >> January 14th >> 2030 >> 2030
>> according to the best of my ability. >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. At this time, I would like to invite our returning council person at large, Rolando R. LAVARO, JR.
HI, JERSEY CITY. Glad to be here. Uh, I'd like to invite my family to come up and join me and to administer the oath. My mother, my wife and daughter, and my in-laws.
Please come up. Mom's gonna come over here. Just come behind me. You take this. Mom, why don't you come on behind me? Nope. I need you over here. Sorry. Okay. Just need you to Nope.
All right, >> let's go. >> I Ravaro Jr. >> I, Rolando R. Lavaro, Jr. do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States
>> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith >> that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the same >> and allegiance to the same
>> and to the government established >> and to the government established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority >> under the authority >> of the people >> of the people >> and that I will faithfully
>> and that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties >> all the duties >> of a council person at large >> of a council person at large >> of the city of Jersey City
>> of the city of Jersey City >> for a term commencing >> for a term term commencing >> on January 15, 2026 >> on January 15, 2026 >> and terminating on >> and terminating on
>> January 14, 2030. >> January 14, 2030. >> according to the best of my ability. >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. Thank you. Okay.
At this time, I would like to invite our new council person at large and the first Indian descent woman elected to the municipal council, Matima Singh. I want to invite my son, my priest, and
my friends. Thank you everyone. >> Should I say my good-looking son? That's my holy book uh Gita. I will be putting my hands there. It's a very sacred book and I have it tied on tight. >> People are eyeing on this book.
VJ. Many many congratulation. God bless you. Sorry. >> It's okay. Mama has asked me to perform her oath of office. So I'm honored and grateful to do so.
You repeat after me. I Mama Singh >> I Ma Singh >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey
>> of the state of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith >> that I will bear a true faith >> and allegiance to the same >> and allegiance to the same >> to the government established >> to the government established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this faith >> and in this state
>> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties >> all the duties >> as council person at large >> as council person at large
>> for a term commencing >> for a term commencing >> January 15th >> January 15th >> 2026 >> 2026 >> and for a term to expire >> a term to expire >> on January 14th on January 14th, >> 2030.
>> 2030. >> According to the best of my ability. >> According to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. And thank you again everybody. Okay, at this time allow me to introduce
Laura Bamante, our new chief of staff. Good evening everyone. Standing here today is a full circle moment I never could have imagined. Not long ago, I was a student walking these same halls, attending classes, and
dreaming about what my future might hold. And now I stand proudly before you as the first Latina chief of staff to the mayor to the great mayor of Jersey City, James
Solomon. in the very place where we first met when he was my professor. I now have the honor of introducing a United States Senator and my former boss, Senator Andy Kim.
But before I do that, I want to thank President Andres Aivo for welcoming us here today, as well. Woo! Give it up. As well as the professors and staff at NGCU who continue to shape the next
generation of leaders. This institution changed my life and I know it is doing the same for so many others. Most recently, I had the privilege of serving as a deputy state director to Senator Andy Kim. I can tell you from firsthand experience that he is
not only a mentor to me, but the gold standard for an elected official in a time In a time when people are often cynical about politics and expect the worst from politicians, he is someone genuinely committed to good government, someone
who has made fighting corruption a cornerstone of his work, and someone who has dedicated his career to ensuring that people like me and so many others across our state have a real opportunity to succeed. That's not just rhetoric. It is who he
is. It is how he approaches every decision, every vote, every conversation with the people he serves. He listens, he shows up, and he never forgets why he's there. So, it is my distinct honor
and truly one of the proudest moments of my career to introduce a leader and a tireless champion for the people of New Jersey, United States Senator Andy Kim. Good evening, Jersey City. How are you doing tonight?
>> Yeah. Are you feeling the energy? Um, I literally just got off the train coming up from DC, so I apologize. Wasn't able to go home in time to be able to get changed. Um, but but I just have to say I am so happy to
be here and so happy to not be in DC right now and to be and and and not just because of of what's happening, but it's about the people that we are surrounded with right now. And I I just have to say it is such
a humbling experience to be a part of tonight. I love Jersey City. I love it. I love that I get to represent Jersey City. I love that you are my constituents. I love that you are my
bosses. I love that I have my Senate office here. And I love that we've been able to work together over this year through tough times, no doubt, but working together for common cause. And I'm excited here because today isn't
just about the swearing in of a new mayor. It is about entering this new era of politics, a next generation of politics and leadership for Jersey City and for New Jersey. There is so much to
be excited about. And right now, we need those moments. We need these things that we can look to and feel hopeful about. things that we can remember. Yes, there are good people doing good work. And I just I I'm reminded about my first boss
at the State Department when I was asking about all the challenges that are out there and why he continued to serve despite so many difficulties. He said, "You don't have good government unless you have good people working in government." It's so easy to think that things are
just cogs and wheels and things are just on autopilot and you know just take things for granted. But it it doesn't work that way, you know, and and we see it right now. If you have egotistical, narcissistic, power-hungry people in government, you will get an egotistical,
narcissistic, power- hungry government. But if you have people who believe in public service, people who believe that empathy is a strength, not a weakness, people that believe in humility over hubris, people who believe that it's
about serving the people, not serving yourself, you can have an allgether different government. And as we talk about good people in government, I'm just so excited to be able to introduce your next mayor,
Mayor Solomon. >> It's not always going to be easy, but you're up to the task. And I I'll just share with you the wisdom that uh my my boss has shared me that line about good government, good people and good in government. He had
another line that I think is apt for the work you need to do. He says, "You can be a good person and still have sharp elbows, too. It's going to be tough. They're going to be challenged along the way, but know that you are not alone. I'm excited that we have shared constituents that we're going to be able
to work together and be able to not just tackle the affordability challenges that I know are are are so much on people's minds, but be able to build a Jersey City for your kids, for your kids and your grandkids, and be able to usher in that new generation of leadership that
our city and our state and our country so badly need. to be a foil to so much of what disappoints us, what gives us anxiety and gives us concern. So, please give it up for your mayor, Mayor Solomon.
>> We got a We have a different Bible. >> You have your own Bible? >> Yeah. Nice. >> Is this the mic you guys are using? >> Yeah. Okay, you ready? Repeat after me. I, James Solomon,
>> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. And I will bear true faith
and allegiance to the same >> and to the government established >> government >> in the United States >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully
>> I will faithfully >> impartially >> and justly >> perform all the duties of >> mayor of the city of Jersey City. >> Mayor of the city of Jersey City.
>> Hold on. for a term commencing on >> For a term commencing on >> January 15, 2026 >> 2026 >> and terminating on >> terminating on >> January 14th, 2030
>> according to the best of my abilities >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. Although if you need to stretch your legs, it's okay to dance around a little bit and and hop hop a little bit if you need to. Oh my goodness.
All righty. All righty. All righty. Jersey City. >> I say, let me do it again. JERSEY CITY. THANK YOU SO much for this honor and for the opportunity to work each and every
day on your behalf. And I couldn't imagine a more fitting place for this ceremony than here at NJCU. This is where I started teaching in Jersey City. It's where I first witnessed the potential of our young people from every neighborhood from the Heights to the
Hill. It's where I met my incredible chief of staff, Laura Bamante. Give it up for Laura. It's where I've watched my daughters perform their dance dance recital right here on the stage. Right. And and it's where I learned talking to
an old grizzled security guard that you weren't really truly from Jersey City unless you were born in the Margaret Heg. So, I'm sorry for the Christ hospital babies. I don't make those rules. Now, I know how blessed I am to stand
here today because 10 years ago, I was standing here in a classroom at NGCU sharing a very different kind of announcement with my students. I had just gotten a phone call from my doctor, the kind that no one wants to get. I had been diagnosed with cancer.
Gabby and I had just moved to Jersey City a few years back. We gotten married less than two months before. We loved our home. We were so excited about our future and it was the scariest time of my life. But I soon learned two things.
First, which I think many of you know already, I am the world's luckiest husband. I say, "Gabby, if I told you every reason that I'm grateful to have you in my life would be here past midnight, and Noel would definitely be asleep at that point. So, let me just say thank you for
everything." And as Gabby and I took on the fight of our lives, the second thing we learned was this. Moving to Jersey City was the best choice we ever made. We were still new in town, but that didn't matter. When we were down, our neighbors lifted
us up. Our community lifted us up. Jersey City lift lifted us up. During chemo, I made two promises to myself. First, if I ever made a full recovery, I would start a family with Gabby. I would find a way to and I would find a way to
give back to the city that had given me so much. Now, the first promise obviously was the more important one. And tonight, Camila, Krin, and Noel are living proof that Gabby and I have kept it. Girls, watching you play at the big playground
at Liberty State Park reminds me every day why I'm so lucky to live in this special place and why I'm so proud to be your dad. So that was the first promise. And when it came to the second promise, giving back to the people who had helped give
me back my life. From the very first day I be began to think about entering public service, I was guided by a simple principle. Jersey City deserves a government as good as its people. Now, eight years ago, I ran for city council. Some of you were part of that
campaign. And people told us that to win would have to play by the same old set of rules that had defined politics in this town for decades. But we believed we could do better because we knew the people of Jersey City were already better than that. So we ran a different kind of campaign and set out to govern
in a different kind of way. During one of my very first weeks on the city council, there was a rally at Caven Point in Liberty State Park. A billionaire wanted to bulldoze the beach to expand his golf course. The friends of Liberty State Park fought to stop him. And when I joined them, that's
right. And when I joined them, an organizer pointed out that that day I was one of just two elected officials on the beach. And he said, "I guess the rest of them were afraid to show up." To which I replied, "I guess I'll just piss off a billionaire and see where it gets me."
And look where it got me. But but I'm getting ahead of myself. So we started talking about running for mayor and we were told, "Well, city council was one thing, but but mayor's going to be different." We didn't listen. We still believed we could do things better. We could run a campaign
for the people, not the powerful. And day after day, so many of you here proved us right. We didn't take a dime for developers because we had you making phone calls, knocking on doors, chipping in whenever and whatever you could. And
so to everyone on the incredible team Solomon, to the thousands of volunteers who gave up their time and resources for a campaign plenty of people didn't think had a chance, thank you. You didn't work your hearts out because you believed in me. You worked your
hearts out because we believed in each other. And you also believed in the kind of politics we set out to practice where winning an election isn't the finish line. It's the starting line. And because of you, today we start writing a new chapter in the history of Jersey
City. It's an extraordinary opportunity and we're lucky to have incredible partners throughout our city, our county, and our state who are going to help us make the most of it. Senator Andy Kim, thank you for administering the oath of office.
Thank you for your support. And most of all, thank you for forging a new kind of politics in Jersey City. Mayor Baraka, thank you for being the model of a progressive, effective, independent-minded mayor.
I look forward to working with you city to city, mayor to mayor. To the members of the city council, you all exemplify the best of public service. I know how deeply each of you care for our city and I can't wait to roll up our sleeves together to deliver
a more affordable Jersey City for all and and to the extraordinary group of elected officials and civic leaders, folks representing our federal government, folks representing our state government, folks representing mayors from all over Hudson County and New Jersey. All I can say is thank you for
being here. I can't wait to work with each and every one of you. Thank you to my family. Thank you to my brother who flew a long way to be here. Thank you to my mom. Give it up for mom. So, some of you may be recognizing mom
because you realize she knocked on your door during the campaign. Now to Gabby and our girls, I already talked about how great you are, but since I literally cannot thank you enough, I'm going to do it twice in this speech. And finally, to everyone watching,
whether you're here at NJCU, you're watching on a screen at your house, whether you voted for someone else or you voted for me, thank you for showing up for our city because then it really isn't about a ceremony or a swearing in or even a celebration. It's about
putting you at the center of our government. It's about making real our vision of a government as good as you are. A Jersey City government, as good as its people, does the big things and the basics. We won't choose between
delivering on big dreams that can shape the city's future and the everyday details that can improve your quality of life. We have to do both. And we will. We're going to build thousands of affordable homes that are actually affordable.
And we're going to make sure your trash gets picked up on trash day. We're going to create new opportunities for our young people, our teenagers with a thousand new summer jobs. And we're going to pave the road so you can drive down Danforth or some without
dodging a bunch of potholes. I got Danforth over there. We got excited driver on Danforth over there. We're going to continue to be America's golden door by protecting our immigrant
families. >> And we're going to keep the foul lines painted at Roberto Clemente Field. That's right. Some of what I'm talking about often gets called basic services. But as any sanitation worker, cop, or firefighter will tell you, basic is not
the same thing as easy. So to everyone who already works for our city, I see many of you right here. Thank you for everything you do, and I hope to make you proud over the next four years. So what does it continue to mean to have a government as good as it pe as people?
Starts with this. a Jersey City government that works for the people who make our city work. Now, let's be honest, for real estate developers, Jersey City has been working great. But if you're a working person who lives here, a nurse, a small business owner, a teacher in the
building trades, it's been a different story. You've seen expensive luxury developments, developments that ought to be bringing money into our city, popping up all over the place, but your rent and your property taxes have continued to rise. Make it make sense.
The era of putting developers first ends today. Now, now for any billionaires watching, don't worry. You're still a billionaire. It's all good. But from now on, we measure
success not by how much gets built, but by whether you can build a future for your family. A business that can thrive, a retirement account that gives you peace of mind. The people of Jersey City come first. Now, Mayor Glenn Cunningham, one of
Jersey City's greatest mayors. That's right. Mayor Cunningham spoke about the how the Gold Coast must benefit the golden neighborhoods. One of the things that we love so much about our city, one of the things that makes us Chilltown, or as Mayor Shundler
would say, a slice of heaven, is that we don't pit our neighborhoods or communities against each other. We know that Jersey City can't be a great place to live or raise a family if only a few of us do better while the rest of us are left behind. The people of Jersey City deserve a
booming waterfront and a thriving southside. Great schools in the Heights and in Greenville. Safe streets for our kids downtown and on the west side. We're proud that people often from Brooklyn want to move here. But at the same time, if you already
live here and you're doing everything right, working hard, paying rent, Jersey City must be affordable for you. >> And so over the next few weeks and months, we're going to roll out a lot of policies designed to put the people of Jersey City first. But the biggest
change you're going to see is your government's mindset. Who do we wake up fighting for every day? And who do we go to sleep at night worrying about? We ran a campaign for the people, not the powerful. And starting today, that's how
we're going to run this city as well. >> Now, I know some of you are thinking, James, that sounds nice, but you know, people always make promises and then then look what happens. And you know what? Given the history sometimes in the city and given the current state of our country, I think that's a pretty fair
concern. And it's why I believe at its core, a Jersey City government at as good as its people is a government you can trust. And trust begins with transparency. I won't stand here and promise that you'll agree with everything we say or every tough
decision we make, but I can promise that we'll always be honest about what we're doing and why. And that starts with our budget. We've known for months that the city was going to be in a deep hole when it came to balancing our budget next year. But it was only in the last few weeks that we were finally able to
examine the books. And I'm going to be honest with you, we've got our work cut out for us even more than we were led to believe. We'll have more details for you on our financial picture soon. For now, let me just say that balancing our budget, as we're required to do by the state constitution, is going to require
some hard choices along with some basic common sense. But trust is not just about adding a layer of transparency. It's about rooting out corruption wherever we find it. That's why we didn't take developer money during the campaign. So the only group of people we owe favors to is all
of you. That's right. It's why I'm so proud to have the support of Senator Kim, who's taken on corruption statewide and won. It's why after announcing my run, the very first policy platform I asked my team to put out was an anti-corruption plan. And
finally, it's why I'm asking you not just to support us in the days and weeks and months and years ahead. I'm asking you to hold us accountable. If we're doing something wrong, we want to hear about it. If you have an idea for how we could do our jobs more effectively, don't keep it to yourself. Although, I will say folks in Jersey City rarely
keep it to themselves. This city belongs to all of us. It isn't a spectator sport. And it's up to all of us to leave it off better than we found it. Doing the big things in the basics. A city that works for the people who make
it work. Leaders who earn your trust. That's what it means to deliver and to build a Jersey City government as good as its people. And that's why I and my team commit ourselves to that vision today and every day.
Thank you. Because as nice as tonight is, we're not here just to celebrate. We're here to start getting things done. And I will measure my success as mayor not by the number of votes I received, but by the number of families in India Square who tell me they no longer have to worry
that they're going to have to leave Jersey City because it's gotten too expensive. By the number of people on the Western Slope who tell me they never knew a city government could make their lives easier instead of harder. By the number of young people at PS1 15 or 27 who tell me
they feel sorry for any kid who had to grow up someplace else. Because for Gabby, the girls, and me, and I know for all of you, Jersey City is more than just a city. It is a truly special place. It is the place that lifts us up when we're down and that
makes our dreams feel possible. It is home. and Jersey City. Starting today, working together, we're going to make it better than it's ever been. Thank you so much. God bless. I can't wait to get to work.
Built this city. We built this city on rock and roll. Built this city. We built this city on rock and roll.