Inauguration of Greg Nickels as Seattle Mayor
Jan. 7, 2002

Thanking Mayor Rice
Norm, thank you. Seattle is a great city and I regard you as one of Seattle's great mayors. I guess both of us are too old for me to call you my mentor, but you will always be an inspiration in my work ahead. Norm, it's an honor to have you here and to call you my friend.

Thanking friends and family
I see so many who helped give me the opportunity to stand here today-thank you. Thanks to my supporters, my family and my wife, Sharon. A special thanks to my parents, especially for their decision to move here in 1961 from Erie, Pennsylvania. No offense to Erie, but on the whole I'd rather be mayor of Seattle. My parents imbued me with a passion for public service, and Sharon - you taught me how to pursue that passion. Thank you.

The theme of my administration
When I was elected mayor on November 6th, I was elected mayor of all the people of Seattle, not just those who supported me. And I will be a mayor of all the people. That's my personal pledge to each of you.

I know that all of us share an understanding that government plays an important role in society. After September 11, no one can say that government is the problem. Government is a vehicle for our hopes for a better society. A mayor's job is to seek the common good, the path that will benefit all our people and leave no one behind. It's our duty to make sure that government is responsive, frugal, and compassionate. As our mayor, I will focus on making a difference in people's lives.

Goals
For my first 100 days and beyond, we will make a difference by concentrating on basics:.

• Each day, I will work hard to ensure that when our children leave their homes, they will return safely.
• Each day, I will work hard to help our schools in their vital mission
• Each day, I will work hard to make Seattle a place where getting to work is not harder than the work itself.
• Each day, I will work hard to create jobs and economic opportunity.
• Each day, I will work hard to make Seattle a place of racial and social justice for all.

An Agenda for Progress
I set forth a lot of goals and commitments during the past year. I will keep those promises. I call them my "Get it done" list for the city departments. We will take practical steps, some small, some big, that together make Seattle a better place to live. Some goals will take longer than others, some may even take years, but we will proceed quickly, decisively, and aggressively.

I will always keep in mind how my actions will affect the lives of the people of our city. Many of the best ideas are utterly simple, like positioning tow trucks to unsnarl clogged intersections, or cutting government overhead, increasing funding to basic services. As we announce our plans, no one will doubt that we are serious about putting the city to work, making a difference in people's lives.

Building partnerships
No one can do this alone. I look forward to the advice and support of the city council and city attorney. I will need help from the city's talented workers - helping me find creative ways to get more direct services with fewer resources. I will include all the people of Seattle in my call to make this great city even better.

This is a moment to celebrate with friends and family, not to make long speeches. I think I've already noticed some squirming by my nieces and nephews - and maybe my staff as well!

On January 28th, I will give my State of the City message. I will detail the goals of my first 100 days as our mayor, laying out the foundation for achieving my agenda for progress. We have aggressive plans.

Optimism about the future
This is an exciting time in Seattle's history. None of us will ever forget 2001. A slumping economy and the threat of terrorism has strained our institutions. But we have never been more united - as a nation and as a people. As we move into 2002, we know our economy will recover. We know we will face down terrorism. We know that united we are stronger. In Seattle, we will prove that united, a great city can accomplish anything.

Getting the job done.
I am confident about the future of our city. We have much to do. But we can do it. We will make a difference in people's lives. We will get the job done. We will build a better Seattle.

Thank you and God bless our home, Seattle.