LANSING – Mayor Virg Bernero was sworn in for his second term as Mayor of Lansing at a simple ceremony Tuesday called the “Community Works 2010 Inaugural Day of Caring.”
“We wanted to do something different,” he said. “It’s not just a celebration of a new beginning, but a celebration of the City of Lansing.”
Community groups from the Capitol Area Community Services to the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing set up information booths, and the food was a Taste of Lansing with samples from various Lansing restaurants.
Four City Council members and the city clerk were also sworn in. For the first time in the city’s history, a majority of women hold council seats.
“That may be an adjustment for some, but from where I sit I’m ready,” said Bernero, who has two daughters. “I am so excited about the new leadership coming to the 10th floor of city hall.
2009 was a tough year for Lansing with some major budget cuts, as it was for most municipalities, and it had to do more with less. Still, Bernero has leveraged over $500 million dollars in new job-creating investments in Lansing, and he helped launch the area's first regional public-private economic development initiative. The city also has some major building and redevelopment projects underway.
“I am very humbled by the way our citizens rose to the challenges,” he said. “The new year is a time for resolutions, so let’s resolve today to make 2010 a better year.”
With the withdraw of Lt. Governor John Cherry in the race for the Democratic nomination for Michigan Governor Tuesday, Bernero has become the front runner for the nomination. He has the most widespread experience of any of the candidates form either party. He has not only had to balance a municipal budget, he has legislative experience and local government experience. He knows the consequences of the budget cuts made in Lansing, and no other candidate can say that.
He served in the Michigan State Senate and State House from 2001 – 2006, and Bernero also served four terms on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners. He was also a legislative aide in both the state Senate and House.
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