Corey O'Connor sworn in as Pittsburgh's 62nd mayor: "Our best days are ahead"
A new era of leadership began on Monday when Corey O'Connor was sworn in as Pittsburgh's 62nd mayor.
After he was elected to the position once held by his late father in a landslide victory, O'Connor took the oath of office on Monday afternoon at the Carnegie Music Hall.
Under the watchful eyes of his predecessors, Mayors Ed Gainey, Luke Ravenstahl, Tom Murphy and Bill Peduto, it was hard to tell first whether it was an inauguration or a roast for Mayor O'Connor.
"See what happens when the Penguins don't make the playoffs and people start heckling you in Giant Eagle cause they think you look like Kyle Dubas," comedian Bill Crawford told O'Connor.
But it was also an emotional day for the O'Connor family. O'Connor's siblings got on stage to tell their brother that their late parents would be proud of him.
In his first speech as mayor, O'Connor choked up while remembering his parents, saying his mom worked "tirelessly" to meet every person she could, and his dad was "optimistic and passionate" about Pittsburgh's potential.
O'Connor said his dad knew that the first step towards progress is cleaning up. Using Pittsburgh-ese, O'Connor said it was time to "get back to the fundamentals of governing" and "redd up" the city by maintaining infrastructure, filling potholes and keeping parks clean.
"Pittsburgh is more than where we live. It's our identity. We're not just from Pittsburgh, we are Pittsburghers. I want you all to be proud to be a Pittsburgher and I want you to believe in our city and in ourselves because there is no doubt in our minds that our best days are ahead," he said.
O'Connor addressed the city's budget, public safety and business growth. He was blunt about the city's financial future, but pushed a message of optimism, hope and progress.
"Right now, the city is in difficult financial times," O'Connor said. "The state of our budget requires tough decisions. We will act by laying a foundation of growth, and as we face these challenges and others that arise, I promise to be honest and transparent with you."
There were several speakers before O'Connor's inauguration, including professional golfer Neal Shipley, whom O'Connor coached at Central Catholic High School. When Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro took the podium, he promised to be O'Connor's "partner in progress."
"I know you are motivated every day to make meaningful progress that makes a difference in people's lives, and I'm confident that you will achieve that," Shapiro said. "So as you take this oath of office today, know that you have a city that is cheering along, that is hopeful about our future and a commonwealth that is rooting for your success."
On Monday night, the inauguration party was held at the Children's Museum. About 1,000 people attended.
The incoming mayor toured his new office at the City-County Building on Sunday with his family by his side, while he answered questions from reporters.
O'Connor said that he plans on hitting the ground running once he takes office as mayor, focusing on growth and building a belief in Pittsburgh and has spent the past weeks working to assemble a staff who will bring experience and a new vision to Pittsburgh. Foregoing a national search, Corey O'Connor has already nominated Jason Lando as Pittsburgh's next police chief.