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New Year's Day was inauguration day in Auburn, with Jimmy Giannettino being sworn in as mayor to succeed Michael Quill. Christina Calarco and Dr. Rhoda Overstreet-Wilson officially joined the five-member City Council. They now occupy the seats formerly held by Giannettino and Tim Locastro.Ìý

The first City Council meeting of the year drew a large crowd, with council chambers filled to capacity and an overflow area in the city hall lobby. Family and friends were among many of the attendees. Several current and former elected officials were there, too.Ìý

It was a largely ceremonial meeting. Quill, who served four terms as mayor, and Locastro, a councilor for the last four years, offered parting thoughts on their service and received keys to the city. Giannettino, Calarco and Overstreet-Wilson were then sworn into office.Ìý

Calarco thanked her parents, including the late Frank "Chubby" Calarco, family members, the local Democratic committee and her students. She is a member of a glass ceiling-shattering body — the first majority-women council in the city's history. She is humbled, she said, "to be a part of that history." 

For Overstreet-Wilson, this moment was a "sum of life experiences," she said, and "recognizing all my life experiences had a purpose." She also thanked her family and credited the voters for making history. She pledged to be a fierce advocate for her constituents.Ìý

"I don't see party," she said. "I see community." 

In his debut as mayor, Giannettino presented his vision for Auburn. He pledged to pursue infrastructure funding to ensure the city secures "every dollar we can." He wants to maintain Auburn's standing as a "fully representative and inclusive community" and protect the city's fundamental right to clean water.Ìý

Giannettino said he will be an ambassador for Auburn and govern responsibly as mayor. He then quoted from a poem about an "Auburn kid" that was read at a past inauguration.Ìý

"Thank you for believing in this Auburn kid," he said.Ìý

Giannettino, Calarco and Overstreet-Wilson will serve four-year terms that run through 2027. For the next two years, Democrats will hold every city office. Terry Cuddy and Ginny Kent, both Democrats, are also on the council.Ìý