Crowds braved the snow to watch Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner be sworn into office for a second term on Saturday. Miner, a Democrat and Syracuse University alumna, was re-elected in last November’s mayoral election.

The ceremony took place in Clinton Square, where Miner took the oath of office and gave a speech concerning the future of Syracuse and challenges the city may face in the next four years.

“I will give you my best effort to live up to the tradition of this community,” she said. “We will solve the world’s challenges because we have done it before. We will do it again, together.”

The ceremony began with a procession from City Hall led by the Syracuse Scottish Bagpipe Band. Other performers at the event included poet Jackie Warren-Moore, the ODESA Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, the Elks Pride 315 Marching Band and the Reverend Theodora Hill of Bellegrove Missionary Baptist Church.

“We just really focused on trying to find folks that are representative of the community,” said Alexander Marion, Miner’s press secretary, of the performers.

After an invocation given by Father John Schopfer of the Brady Faith Center, Chief of Staff Bill Ryan introduced Miner. Calling her a “fearless leader,” Ryan discussed Miner’s roles in Say Yes to Education Syracuse, sales tax agreements and the Joint Schools Construction Board.

“There is no issue, situation or person she will not tackle,” he added.

Circuit Court Judge Rosemary S. Pooler then administered the oath of office, swearing in Miner.
During her first speech of her second term, Miner spoke about Syracuse’s ability to overcome difficulties in the past, which she said she hopes to continue in the future. She cited the Erie Canal’s construction and the Jerry Rescue as examples. Miner also used the morning’s snowstorm to describe the city’s resilience.

“The weather is an illustration of who we are as Syracuseans,” she said. “We brace ourselves against the snow and the cold, and we brace ourselves against obstacles.”

SU Chancellor Kent Syverud was also present at the ceremony. Miner welcomed the chancellor, saying he was now “officially a Syracusean” due to the weather.

The Reverend Nebraski Carter of the Living Water Church of God in Christ gave a benediction, after which Miner signed the oath of office registry.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held in the Atrium of the City Hall Commons. There, Miner discussed the city’s financial situation, economic development and the new city council.

“We make tough choices every day, and part of it is being strategic about how you make those choices so that you can continue to invest in the future of the city,” she said. “The next four years are going to be filled with lots of tough choices.”

Published on January 18, 2014 at 8:14 pm

Contact Zach: zdschwei@syr.edu