Bill Peduto Takes Oath As 60th Mayor Of Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Bill Peduto has been sworn in as the 60th mayor of Pittsburgh.
About 3,000 tickets were issued to Peduto supporters, but Heinz Hall only holds about 2,700. The festivities were moved inside due to the frigid temperatures.
Earlier this morning, City Council swore in four of its members and elected a new president.
This is a tradition that happens every two years and happens on this date.
City Council made some history by electing Bruce Kraus, the first openly gay City Council member, as council president by a 7-2 vote.
"I think it's a great statement for the city to talk about how far we have come to have Bruce as president, to have four council members under the age of 35. It's a new face to the city. I also think it's a healthy balance with Mayor Peduto, someone who supports him and wants to work with him and shares an agenda, but someone who is strong willed and will always put City Council first," Councilman Dan Gilman said.
How did they pay for all of it?
They have 20 corporate sponsors, but the two lead sponsors, Duquesne Light and People's Natural Gas, each chipped in $25,000 to help pay for these festivities today and the event later tonight.
For Peduto, inauguration day was also a long one as he started the day at city council, where he saw Bruce Kraus elected City Council President. Then it was on to Heinz Hall where the key was to get out of the cold.
Inside, among more than 2,000 supporters, Peduto declared, "It is now our moment, our opportunity. Indeed, it is our duty to create the new Pittsburgh."
The mayor talked about reform through responsibility, sustainability and accountability.
"Accountability means a government that is open in every way possible," he said. "We've begun that process by hiring on merit. We will continue to shape our departments in that spirit."
Many democratic leaders and party officials were at the ceremony -- including former mayors Tom Murphy and Luke Ravenstahl.
Afterward, Peduto mingled with supporters at the PPG Wintergarden.
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