When Jim Kenney officially became the city’s 99th mayor Monday in the packed auditorium of the Academy of Music, it was the most “Philadelphia” inauguration one could imagine.
Individual whooping sections erupted as each official took the oath of office, from City Council members to county commissioners and judges. Philadelphia Commissioner Lisa Deeley had some of the most enthusiastic fans. During a prayer, the Rev. Terrence Griffith of First African Baptist Church even joked, “And dear God, I pray that you give us a championship next year,” to which Kenney and others on stage broke into laughter.
“Democracy!,” said Darrell L. Clarke, who heard “Yay Clarke!” called out after he accepted his second appointment to serve as council president. “You’ve got to love it in the United States of America.”
Several out judges were also inaugurated Monday. On the Court of Common Pleas, Chris Mallios, Ann Butchart and Abbe Fletman took their oaths of office. Judge Dawn Segal was sworn in for the bench of the Philadelphia Municipal Court after winning a retention vote in November.
For the introduction of Kenney, council members Mark Squilla, who represents the First District including the Gayborhood; Cindy Bass; Maria Quiñones-Sanchez; and Kenyatta Johnson escorted him to the podium.
Kevin Dougherty, an LGBT-affirming judge new to the state Supreme Court, performed the swearing-in ceremony for Kenney, widely considered an LGBT advocate.
Kenney noted he and Dougherty grew up just 100 yards from each other in South Philadelphia.
“We did pretty good, Kevin,” Kenney said.
Kenney outlined several priorities for himself and city council over the next four years, including expanded pre-K, stronger neighborhood commercial corridors, community schools and community policing.
“While those policies cover a wide range of issues, they all come from one fundamental truth,” said Kenney, who began his political career in constituent services. “Government functions properly when it’s accessible and accountable to the people it serves.”
“For the one in four people living in poverty in this city,” he continued, “an effective public-transportation system can make the difference of whether or not they can afford to go to that job interview. For a young family, affordable pre-K can make the difference of whether or not they can save for their children’s college education. For an immigrant entrepreneur, a city council representative who can speak their native language can make the difference between a business that succeeds and one that fails. Accordingly, the vision that will guide this administration is that city government should first and foremost deliver efficient, effective service to every Philadelphian.”
Kenney said all city residents must feel they can walk the streets with safety and dignity. He added “black lives do matter,” and that “an overwhelming majority of our police are decent, hardworking public servants who risk their lives everyday.”
“We need to give our police the tools to establish strong relationships with the community they are sworn to protect and serve.”
Kenney encouraged all Philadelphians to come together and “row in the same direction.” He said some may find that unity impossible, but noted many are already practicing it. Kenney thanked the local activists who force all Philadelphians to acknowledge and do something about any injustices in the city.
“Let’s go to work,” he said.
Gov. Tom Wolf and former Gov. Ed Rendell also attended the inauguration.
Rabbi Jill Maderer from Congregation Rodeph Shalom gave the final benediction: “Philadelphians of diverse neighborhoods, races, sexual orientations and languages, today we do not take for granted this peaceful transfer of power we call democracy; grateful for the past leaders who have renewed our city and for the incoming leaders who are dedicated to the promise of our city’s future.”