CHARLESTON — Amy Goodwin was sworn in Monday to become the newest mayor of Charleston, the first woman to become mayor in the history of the Capital City.
Goodwin, who served as deputy commerce secretary and led the state Division of Tourism under then-Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, focused her first remarks on community and unification, calling Monday a “historic day of new beginnings.”
“All persons, all neighborhoods should expect equal benefit and protection by their city government. Starting now with our talented city council, we dedicate ourselves to you, working with you to create a sustainable, a safe, a healthy and, most important, vibrant Charleston,” she said.
City council members, local officials and others packed the Charleston City Council chambers to hear Goodwin’s first remarks and witness the first official actions of her tenure.
As Goodwin entered the chamber, the audience broke out in cheers and applause, a trend that would continue as city council members and Goodwin’s appointees took their oaths of office.
“I am just elated to have the opportunity to serve with so many good folks at such a pivotal time for Charleston,” new Councilwoman-at-Large Caitlin Cook said after the meeting.
“I think the most important part of government is listening and inclusion. I think we’ve got a mayor who set out a pretty good agenda of how to move the city forward, being inclusive, making an area that people want to visit and stay in and people want to move to raise their families.”
Goodwin said it is important to bring Charleston residents to a “common table,”adding cooperation is a necessity for the city.
“We want to include that inclusiveness into the development of public policy, but we must do it with concerted action,” she said. “The scope, pace and change of the 21st century will require us that we need to learn how to learn new things and then capitalize on them.”
Goodwin took the oath of office with her husband, Booth, and sons, Joe and Sam, at her side. U.S. District Judge Joseph Goodwin, the mayor’s father-in-law, administered the oath of office. Goodwin’s parents and sister attended the ceremony.
Several local and state lawmakers were present at the ceremony, including Delegate Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, who presided over the start of the meeting. Former Gov. Bob Wise, whom Goodwin served under as communications director, also was in attendance.
Goodwin’s predecessor, Danny Jones, did not attend the investiture; Jones, who hosts “580 Live” on WCHS-AM, left after the final meeting of the previous council held prior to Goodwin becoming mayor. Goodwin thanked Jones for his efforts regarding the office transition. Jones was mayor of Charleston for 16 years.
Goodwin said change is needed in the city, but it is only possible through cooperation.
“Together, we’re going to try new things. We will dare to experiment, and although we will experience some missteps along the way — I’m sure we will — we will do so always in the process of elevating this city and her people,” she said.
Goodwin’s first acts as mayor including nominating Miles Cary as city clerk, Jon Storage as city manager, Kevin Baker as city solicitor and Charleston Police Sgt. Opie Smith as the next police chief, all of which the council approved. Councilwoman-at-Large Becky Ceperly will serve as the president pro tempore.
Goodwin also appointed members to the city’s eight standing committees. She met with committee chairs after the ceremony, and told reporters she wants to review the city’s budget, review public safety efforts and address ways to attract people to Charleston in her first weeks as mayor.
By Alex Thomas
