Newberry, Council Sworn Into Office

Pledging unity and cooperation, Lexington’s new leaders were sworn into office Sunday.

Mayor Jim Newberry, Vice-Mayor Jim Gray, and 13 of 14 other members of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council took the oath of office Sunday in front of a standing-room-only crowd in the Bluegrass Ballroom of the Lexington Center.

“I feel real unity here today – and it feels real good,” said University of Kentucky President Lee Todd, who introduced Mayor Newberry. Todd was a professor and Newberry, a student at UK, when they first met, Todd said.

Since then their paths have crossed in church, professionally, and personally and his admiration for the new mayor has grown, Todd said. “He is a man who does things the right way and treats people the right way.”

In his speech, Mayor Newberry outlined the city’s history, then noted that the city’s future is one of challenges that Lexington must meet or accept mediocrity if it doesn’t meet them. He pledged that mediocrity would never be a consideration during his tenure. He noted some of those challenges include an EPA storm water edict, completion of the comprehensive plan, a legislative agenda to present to the Kentucky General Assembly, making government open and accessible to all, and coordinating economic development efforts with local businesses and universities.

To be one of the nation’s preeminent cities, Lexington will have to meet both day-too-day and long-term challenges he added.

The Inaugural ceremonies were called “A celebration of new ideas and new beginnings for the community of Lexington.”

Music was provided by the Lexington Philharmonic; Dr. Everett McCorvey, UK School of Opera; the Imani and Immanuel Combined Choir; and eight-year-old Constance Brown.

Lexington Legends founder and Lexington businessman Alan Stein provided the welcome and introductions; Rabbi Marc Kline, Temple Adath Israel, and Dr. Robert Baker, Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, gave the invocation and the benediction; and U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer Coffman administered the oath of office.