Police Chief Tom Streicher escorts the new city manager to a car for a motorcycle-escorted ride to a reception at the museum center. (Brandi Stafford photos) | ZOOM |

        Cincinnati's newly sworn city manager, Valerie Lemmie, walked down the steps of 801 Plum St. Tuesday hand-in-hand with Police Chief Tom Streicher.

        The chief had arranged a ride for his new boss from City Hall to her reception, complete with a four-motorcycle escort.

        “What's all this for?” Ms. Lemmie asked.

        “Are you kidding?” the chief replied. “I didn't want to pass up this opportunity to make a first impression.”

        The city certainly made its much-heralded city manager feel welcome Tuesday, with pomp and circumstance that made Charlie Luken's swearing-in as “strong mayor” last year seem like a kindergarten graduation.

        About 1,200 people — including many from Dayton, whose city hall she ran for the past five years — turned out for a reception at the Cincinnati Museum Center after the ceremonial swearing-in at City Hall.

Valerie Lemmie hugs Mayor Charlie Luken Tuesday after he swore her in as the city manager at a City Hall ceremony. | ZOOM |

        They each stood in line for up to an hour for a handshake — and a patented hug — from the city's new chief administrative officer.

        In remarks that were diplomatically brief, Ms. Lemmie said she was “excited about being a member of the team” and felt buoyed by optimism.

        “Today is the first day of the rest of my life,” she told a special session of City Council.

        “But it's also the best day I've ever had, because I know collectively we are going to make a profound difference in the city of Cincinnati. So thank you.”

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