Lenny Curry, Mike Williams take oaths of office

'One City; One Jacksonville' was theme of inauguration ceremony

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A theme of optimism and unity was evident at Wednesday's joint inauguration ceremony of Mayor Lenny Curry and Sheriff Mike Williams.

In a highly produced ceremony with the theme "One City; One Jacksonville," the two men took the oath of office and made short speeches.

"I'm honored that you, the voters, have given me this opportunity. I will lead with a focus on opportunity and urgency. Many of the problems before us are not of our making, but they're are ours to own and ours to act upon," Curry said, then asked everyone in the audience to join hands with the person next to them, even if it's uncomfortable. "In the years ahead, we are going to fight together; we are going to work together; we are going to love each other."

"I'm a son of Jacksonville. This is home, and I want it to be the safest place possible," Williams said. "We have to devote equal energy to a strategic world of crime and pledge to find pathways of peace, knowing that we are not truly successful until all children are safe in their own neighborhood."

The two men must immediately go to work trying to find funding to additional police officers and to fund the just-signed Police and Fire Pension Fund.

Bishop John Guns, who has been active in Jacksonville's battle against gun violence, delivered an emotional address on community unity.

"We must unite. We must willfully meet in the middle, cementing in grace, bonding together in gratitude," Guns said. "We must unite by a common vision that will be led by our mayor and our sheriff, inspired by a view of intrinsic worth evident in this glorious, great city."

In addition to more than 1,200 Jacksonville residents who gathered at the Times-Union Center for Performing Arts, Florida Gov. Rick Scott, several former mayors and other dignitaries attended the ceremony.

MAYOR LENNY CURRYArticleUncut video 
SHERIFF MIKE WILLIAMSArticleUncut video

UNCUT: Bishop Guns' address

The event, which was funded by sponsors, not taxpayers, was free, but tickets were required. 

Both Curry and Williams will mingle with residents Wednesday evening during Art Walk, and Jacksonville City Hall will be open in the evening to welcome citizens to the new administration.

Citizens have high expectation of new leaders


Everyone is looking for different things from our new leaders. From crime prevention and helping at risk youth to unemployment and fighting homelessness, people are hoping to see positive changes in the near future.

"I'd really like to see them try to reach out and establish a bond of trust between the community and some of the younger folks," said Taylor Casey.

As a criminal defense attorney in Jacksonville, Casey sees first-hand the amount of crime that happens in our city. He hopes Williams will find a way to build relationships between police officers and Jacksonville's youth.

"So when they do get to a point in their life when they're confronted with an opportunity to go down the wrong route or path that they rely on the individuals they met earlier in life," said Casey.

Jimmy Triliegi has been a plumber in Jacksonville for 20 years and was unemployed at the beginning of the year. He says he hopes jobs and improving homelessness priorities of Jacksonville's new leadership.

"You can see homeless people at the courthouse. We've got a $350 million building and guys out here trying to get something to eat. It doesn't make a difference what trade you're in."



About the Authors:

Jim Piggott is the reporter to count on when it comes to city government and how it will affect the community.