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Sunday, 10 January, 2010 2:59 AM

Dave Bing inaugurated as Mayor of Detroit for four-year term

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

Judge Damon Keith administers the oath of office for Detroit Mayor Dave Bing.

DETROIT -- He was already the mayor of the city of Detroit. But now it is official for a full, four-year term. Dave Bing accepted the oath of office inside the historic Fox Theatre in front of a packed house. Bing's entire family was on hand to watch the ceremony. The new Detroit City Council, led by former Fox 2 News anchor/reporter Charles Pugh and city clerk Janice Winfrey were also sworn-in during the special ceremony.

Pugh is the new president of the Detroit City Council and Gary Brown is the new President Pro-Tem. New members of the city council include Shaunteel Jenkins, Andre L. Spivey and James Tate. Returning members of the city council include Ken Cockrel Jr., Brenda Jones, Kwame Kenyatta and JoAnn Watson.

"My administration is committed to building a relationship defined by building cooperation, mutual respect and informed discussion on the issues that matter to Detroit," said Detroit Mayor Dave Bing. "We have some significant issues to address in the next four years. We can't hide from those challenges or look for quick fixes that will compromise our future."

Bing was first elected when he defeated the incumbent mayor, Ken Cockrel Jr., in a May 2009 runoff election to complete the second term of office of the former mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick. Bing's term runs until the beginning of 2014.

"This election and these leaders represent our change," said Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm. "You are all the carpenters of the building. We will not go back. That's the truth. Carpenters pick up your hammers and your nails. You who are on the stage and you who are not on the stage. We need all hands on deck to build this new Detroit and this new Michigan. We will have a plank for the auto industry but it won't be the sole plank in a new economy. We must add a plank for those entrepreneurs, those small business owners who see the potential of a spark for them. We must add a plank for the creative economy, whether it's the film industry or the music industry."

Bing is most known for being a basketball player on the Detroit PIstons. He has also been a successful businessman and community leader. Bing received an honorary degree in management from Kettering University in 2000 and an honorary doctor of laws from the University of Michigan in 2006.

"Our city is ready to embrace the industries and economies and technologies of the future, overcoming our resistance to restructure in order to re-engineer ourselves to a smaller, yet stronger Detroit," said city council president Charles Pugh. "We must encourage innovation and incorporate fresh ideas. We must adopt a new city plan detailing how we will re-densify and redevelop our neighborhoods to accommodate our shrinking population. We must also changed our flawed and outdated budget process."

Detroit's own Kimmie Horn performed a song during the ceremony. She entertained the crowd with her version of Lee Ann Womack's hit single "I Hope You Dance." The Detroit Renaissance High School marching band, the Detroit School of the Arts ensemble and students from Cornerstone Schools performed during the ceremony.

"Thank you Detroit for re-electing me as your city clerk," said Janice Winfrey. "Many of us were born and raised in this city and we've been here all our lives. We proudly say I love Detroit. It's not enough to say we love Detroit. For us to survive, we must demonstrate our love because love is an action word. We demonstrate by voting in every election and taking someone who might not otherwise go to the polls with them. The census will take place this year. We all must participate in it so Detroit doesn't lose another penny, but we receive our fair share."

The honorable Damon J. Keith administered the oath of office to Mayor Bing.

"From day one, I've made the tough, but necessary choices to put our city back on track," Bing added. "At a time when we'll be asking our citizens to sacrifice, it has come upon us to lead by example. Change starts at the top. That is why my appointees were the first city employees to take the 10 percent salary cut through furlough days. City council will also need to share this sacrifice."

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey and Detroit City Council member Ken Cockrel Jr. during the swearing-in ceremony.

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

"At this moment, can you feel the sense of possibility and optimism and hope that Detroit, whatever the challenge, will meet it," Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm said. "I want to thank Mayor Bing for your choice to run and for your choice to serve."

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

Detroit's own Kimmie Horn performs "I Hope You Dance" during the ceremony.