Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Mayoral Inauguration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sandy Denise Walker sworn in as York City mayor, outlines '6 in 26' priorities
Summary
Sandy Denise Walker was ceremonially sworn in as mayor of York City at a York County ceremony and used her inaugural address to unveil a '6 in 26' agenda focused on housing, neighborhoods, youth, small-business growth, public safety and quality-of-life improvements; she also pledged to address five years of outstanding audits.
Sandy Denise Walker was sworn in as mayor of the City of York at a ceremony at the York County government building, and in her inaugural address outlined a six-point agenda she called "6 in 26" and pledged to "get our house in order," citing five years of outstanding audits.
The oath of office was administered by retired President Judge Maria Musty Cook; Walker repeated the oath, declaring, "I, Sandy Denise Walker, do solemnly swear," and was greeted with applause as the city's mayor. Souley Pinos, executive director of the Bloom Business Empowerment Center with the York County Economic Alliance, served as master of ceremonies and introduced the event, and Kim Bracy, former mayor and CEO of the YWCA of York, delivered a personal introduction of Walker.
In her address, Walker said her administration will be guided by "clear organizational values" including "transparency, collaboration, communication, employee engagement, and great customer service and professionalism." She outlined the initiatives under the label "6 in 26": healthy homes and lead-abatement work and county housing-plan endorsement; strengthening neighborhood associations and local leadership; aligning early learning, schools and workforce supports for youth; "grow York" initiatives to simplify city processes and support small businesses; safety through partnerships and prevention; and a "clean, green, and proud" quality-of-life campaign to tackle blight and beautify neighborhoods. "We will endorse the countywide housing action plan," Walker said, listing housing access, affordability and safety as foundational priorities.
Walker also identified immediate governance tasks, saying the city must address "5 years of outstanding audits" and the absence of an adopted comprehensive plan. She pledged to reinstate an annual state of the city address so "all of our city stakeholders always know the direction, priorities, and progress of our city." Walker emphasized partnership and volunteerism, asking residents to "stay engaged, you show up, you volunteer, you serve, you mentor, you participate," and closed her remarks urging collective effort to "build a safer York, a stronger York, and a more connected York."
The program included a presentation of colors by the York police and fire departments' honor guard, an invocation by Reverend De Marie Tribble of Heidelberg United Church of Christ and a musical selection by Dancelia Pope. A poem was read by Kimora Hawkins, a tenth-grade student at William Penn Senior High School. County officials at the event included President Commissioner Julie Wheeler, who offered a county welcome and recognized attending state and local officials.
A reception in honor of Mayor Walker was announced to follow at the Yorktown Hotel, sponsored by WellSpan Health. The ceremony concluded with a benediction from Bishop Anthony Cease of New Covenant Community Church.
