SPOKANE, Wash. — Former TV news anchor Nadine Woodward was sworn in as Spokane's 45th mayor on Monday afternoon.
The swearing-in ceremony began at noon at the U.S. Pavilion in Riverfront Park. An evening reception will celebrate Woodward's new role from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday.
The U.S. Pavilion will also be lit up in Woodward's campaign colors, purple and blue, on Monday night.
"Our new mayor has never planned to be perfect but she is good – good to those who know her and good to this community she serves," Phil Atmeyer of Union Gospel Mission said in his invocation during Monday's ceremony.
Spokane County Superior Court Judge Shelly Szambelan administered the oath of office as Woodward stood beside her husband, Bruce.
In her first speech as the newly sworn-in mayor, Woodward began by thanking the residents of Spokane.
“It is an absolute honor to be sworn in as your 45th mayor, and I look forward to serving the city and our citizens over the next four years," Woodward said.
“I’m looking forward to the future and I do so with confidence," she added.
Woodward emphasized Spokane's potential, highlighting the redevelopment of Riverfront Park and the rise of small businesses in the area.
She also reiterated her campaign promise of finding solutions for Spokane, saying there are "serious challenges that must be addressed" in the city.
One of the challenges she addressed is working to provide vulnerable populations a path to self-sufficiency, in what Woodward called "a hand up, not a handout."
Woodward said she will focus on ways to guide Spokane's homeless residents to "transformational support" that empowers them to change their lives.
She also addressed her desire to move the Spokane Police precinct into the downtown core, a move that she discussed with KREM in November.
“We need to give our law enforcement the right tools to do their jobs effectively and it starts with more officers on patrol," Woodward said on Monday.
Woodward said she hopes her administration will make a positive impact on the ability to start and grow businesses in Spokane.
“My administration will not accomplish these goals in isolation. I look forward to building a positive working relationship with the city council to address our city’s challenges," she said.
“I thank God for His incredible blessings to bring me here today and I am grateful to my family for their unwavering support. And I thank you Spokane for your confidence in my leadership. Let’s get to work," Woodward added.
In a press release, Woodward announced Wes Crago would be her administration's city administrator. Crago has served for the last 16 years as the Ephrata City Administrator, and also served as an Ephrata City Council member prior to his time as administrator.
"I am very excited to be a part of this beautiful city, serve with such a professional Mayor and staff, and do my part to sustain and improve what makes Spokane great," Crago is quoted as saying in the release.
Woodward also announced a number of other appointees she recommended to the Spokane City Council for confirmation on Dec. 27, including:
- Director of Parks and Recreation - Garrett Jones
- Director of Community, Housing and Human Services - Timothy Sigler
- Senior Manager of Community, Housing and Human Services - Tija Danzig
- Budget Director - Paul Ingiosi
- Director of Customer Experience - Carly Cortright
- Director of Development Services for Code Enforcement and Parking - Kris Becker
- Director of Streets - Clint Harris
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Woodward has also asked the following to stay in their current positions for her administration:
- Director of Public Works - Scott Simmmons
- City Attorney - Mike Ormsby
- Police Chief - Craig Meidl
- Fire Chief - Brian Schaeffer
- Director of Mayor's Office - Brandy Cote
- Director of Human Resources - Christ Cavanaugh
- Chief Information Technology Officer - Eric Finch
Woodward settled into City Hall a few weeks before she took office.
Mayor David Condon provided Woodward with an office on the fifth floor and help from an administrative assistant, a rare move that’s part of a broader initiative by Condon to assure a smooth transition period
Woodward told KREM in November that she doesn’t want to be the boss who comes in and suddenly overhauls the whole system with radical changes. In her first year, beyond the precinct and pursuing new solutions for homelessness, Woodward wants to take things slowly.
“I'm going to learn, and I'm going to listen, and I think people are really going to appreciate that,” she said.