WORCESTER—Touting the city’s recent successes, ongoing projects and the hopes and challenges for the future, Mayor Joe Petty started his 8th term with a speech at the city’s inaugural exercises on Friday, Jan. 2, at Doherty High School.
“The swearing in of these city councilors and members of the school committee today is a testament to our faith in democracy and a reflection of the real progress of Worcester,” Petty said. “The people of Worcester have, once again, placed their trust in experience and steady leadership, and I am deeply honored to begin my 8th term as mayor.”
“For the past several years, Worcester has proven what is possible when vision is matched with action,” Petty continued. “We have invested in our future by rebuilding our schools, modernizing aging facilities, and ensuring that our students learn in environments that reflect their true potential.”
Petty maintained that the economy of Worcester is growing, including new private investments in the city, increased housing, and an emphasis on fostering new biotech and life science employers.
“Major employers are choosing Worcester,” he said. “Small businesses and restaurants are opening their doors, our cultural institutions continue to thrive, and expanded flights out of our airport are connecting Worcester more directly to the rest of the world. This progress did not happen by chance. It happened because we set clear goals, worked collaboratively and stayed focused on moving the city forward, even during challenging times.”
The four incumbent city council members—Khrystian King, Kate Toomey, Morris Bergman and Luis Ojeda —joined Petty and newly-elected members Gary Rosen, Satya Mitra, Tony Economu, Robert Bilotta, John Fresolo and Jose Rivera as they took the oath of office given by Hon. James G. Haddad of the Massachusetts District Court.
Also sworn in were the members of the school committee: Maureen Binienda, Susan Mailman, Molly McCullough, Vanessa Alvarez, Dianna Biancheria, Alejandro Guardiola, Kathleen Roy and Jermaine Johnson.
McCullough was elected the new vice-chair of the school committee by a vote of 7-2.
Emcee Dr. Charles Steinberg, president of the Worcester Red Sox, praised Petty and the city for the successful move of the team to Worcester from Pawtucket.
“This mayor has shown me the power of another three-letter word,” Steinberg said, adding that there were hundreds of reasons why moving the team to Worcester wouldn’t happen and thousands of reasons why it wouldn’t work. “What did this mayor say? He said, ‘Let’s try.’”
Steinberg said former city manager Ed Augustus helped convince Red Sox GM Larry Lucchino by instilling trust, and that leadership of the city has helped the population grow, including in the Kelley Square area.
“This whole story stems from one word…try,” Steinberg said. “It’s only one story in a city of 200,000. Everybody has their own reasons for loving Worcester—the unpretentious grittiness, the art and culture, the compassion and cooperation and collaboration, and our sweet multicultural unity. Worcester works together.”
