Second Inaugural Address
Mayor Greg Nickels
January 9, 2006

Friends, family and people of Seattle, thank you for the chance to stand before you today! Thank you, Judge Edsonya Charles for swearing me in.

My congratulations to the City Attorney and Council Members who are being sworn-in. I look forward to working with you.

Four years ago, our City was at a tipping point. The Jet City seemed to be grounded. We led the nation in unemployment, experienced a WTO and Mardi Gras that left us feeling unsafe. An earthquake rattled our confidence and Boeing had moved their HQ to Chicago. Light rail was being debated endlessly but nothing was being built.

In fact it seemed that the only thing we could count on was the Mariners! Having just won 116 games, we knew they would be good for years to come!

When I stood here four years ago, I promised to work everyday to make a difference in people’s lives. We have done just that, focusing on four priorities.

We have worked to create jobs and economic opportunity for all. Today, Seattle ’s economy is leading the state and the nation in job growth. Companies are expanding and consolidating – in Seattle. Construction cranes again dot our skyline.

We have worked to keep our neighborhoods safe. Today Seattle is among the country’s safest and most prepared cities.

We have worked to build strong families and healthy communities. Today our neighborhoods are flourishing; we are providing more resources to help our children succeed in school and excel in life; and Seattle is a leader in the battle against global warming pollution. We are working to end the scourge of homelessness.

And we have labored to get Seattle moving. We started with a simple promise to fill potholes (BTW the Pothole Rangers filled potholes within 48 hours of being reported 98.4% of the time in 2005). We’ve accomplished so much more, including the start of Link Light Rail construction.

This city has much to be proud of. We have much to look forward to. We also have much work to get done. We don’t rest on our laurels in Seattle, we roll up our sleeves.

If this great city is to continue to prosper, to make the most of our opportunities, we must address three critical areas: affordable housing, education and transportation.

We are creating new jobs, now we must create opportunities for everyone who works in the City -- to find a home they can afford to live in the City.

Our great new jobs require people with problem solving skills and creative thinkers. For our kids, this means we need to have the Seattle Public Schools win the Super Bowl of Public Education. We will support our schools where they are doing a great job and push our schools to excel in areas where they are not. Academic excellence will be the hallmark of Seattle ’s schools.

And speaking of great new jobs, people must be able to get to work; goods and services must be able to move about the City. I will work on new initiatives to improve our streets, bridges, sidewalks and transit service and create a system that will serve the people of Seattle for the century to come. Before my second term is over, we will successfully complete the Link Light Rail to the airport and break ground north to the University.

And we will replace that dangerous and deteriorating Alaskan Way Viaduct with a tunnel that will transform the waterfront into a public gathering space for the entire City. Not just for tomorrow but for the next fifty years.

If we are going to continue to succeed, we must shatter the complacency of “good enough”.

I pledge to you today that we will confront the challenges that stand before us in our homes, in our schools and on our streets. We will make a difference in people’s lives in the next four years (perhaps 8, maybe 12….)

In the days and months ahead, I will detail the goals for my second term and lay out the steps to achieve my agenda.

Working together, Seattle ’s strength saw this great city through some tough times in recent years. Seattle ’s determination and imagination will guide us toward a bright and wonderful future.

Let us celebrate the turning of a page today. Let us prepare for the work ahead. This is the Jet City. Seattle is ready to soar. Let’s fly!

Thank you and God bless our home, Seattle.