Friday, December 31, 1999
First black to lead Columbus sworn in
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS — The city's first black mayor said Thursday during his inauguration that it will take commitment and sacrifice to keep the city moving in the next century.
To “remain the same as we are now, to in essence stand still in the face of a new generation, means we will fall behind,” Michael Coleman said at his inauguration at Franklin Park Conservatory.
Mr. Coleman, who officially takes office Saturday as mayor of the nation's 15th-largest city, said that as good as Columbus is now, “it is only a sign of how great this city can become.”
He said public safety, education, eliminating blight, training workers and helping families become homeowners are among the challenges.
“If we are going to be the 21st century city that we should be, I ask you to make the sacrifice and the personal commitment right now to do what none of us can do alone and what all of us can do together to meet these challenges,” Mr. Coleman said.
He becomes the first Democrat to serve as mayor since 1971, after beating Republican Dorothy Teater in November. Ms. Teater, a 15-year veteran of the Franklin County Commission, was seeking to become the city's first female mayor.
The race turned out to be the most expensive in city history, at $3.7 million.
Mr. Coleman replaces Republican Greg Lashutka, who did not seek a third four-year term.
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