By Karen Stokes
Mayor Tom Barrett addresses the Common Council and the public after his oath of office on Tuesday Photo by Karen Stokes
April 19, Mayor Tom Barrett began his fourth term in office at the public inauguration ceremony at the Milwaukee City Hall, 200 W. Wells St.
During the ceremony, Barrett congratulated newly elected Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton and thanked his family, his wife Kristine and his brother John.
“This is a celebration and what we are facing now are opportunities,” said Barrett. “What we need to do is work together, respect each other and seize these opportunities.”
Mayor Barrett was reelected after defeating Alderman Bob Donovan in the April 5th election.
Musical selections were performed at the Inaugural ceremony by the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. Payton Wade performed the national anthem and the Invocation was presented by Bishop Darrell L. Hines, pastor of Christian Faith Fellowship Church. Adekola Adedapo led the song “Lift Every Voice” and the meeting ended with a Benediction by Rev. Dr. Archie L. Ivy, pastor, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.
The mayor focused his address on the triumphs and complications in the City of Milwaukee.
Jobs, wages and gun control were some of this city’s challenges the mayor addressed during his speech.
Mayor Barrett at the Inauguration. Photo by Karen Stokes
“Our team is doing everything we can to connect people with jobs. It’s something that we all recognize is a priority for this city,” Barrett said. “But at the end of 2015, more people in Milwaukee were working than at the end of any year back to 2001.”
Barrett also called to increase wages for people in Wisconsin.
“Every person in this room knows there’s too much poverty in this city. Wage is such an important issue. We as a state need to ensure that those individuals that are working and are playing by the rules, who are trying to support their families are able to do that,” the Mayor said. “That is why I am asking all of you to move the state legislature to increase wages for people in this state.”
Mayor Barrett called out the owners of the defunct Northridge Mall that has been closed and vacant since 2003. “The owners of Northridge Mall have disrespected Milwaukee way too long.”
Barrett shared some staggering statistics concerning youth offenders in Milwaukee. Over the last two years, 161 juvenile individuals were responsible for roughly two-thirds of car thefts.
“I will continue to work with our partners at the Justice system on repeat offenders.
This is a trend that simply can’t continue. There must be consequences,” said Barrett. “When it comes to gun laws, we must continue to press the legislature and the governor for sensible legislation.”
“We have challenges and we need to work in the best interest of the people who elected us,” the mayor said. “I am confident that we will be able to meet every one of those challenges.”