LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For the first time in 12 years, Louisville has a new mayor. Democrat Craig Greenberg was sworn in as the city's 51st mayor on Monday.
His inauguration ceremony was attended by several Kentucky officials including Governor Andy Beshear and two previous Louisville mayors: Jerry Abramson and outgoing mayor, Greg Fischer. He credited both for their influence on the city's progress.
Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Angela Bisig administered the state's oath of office to Greenberg officially making him the city's 51st mayor.
"Welcome to day one," Greenberg said following his swearing in. "Louisville is more than where we are, it's who we are. And right now, our city needs us."
The new mayor reinforced that his team will begin focusing the energy of Metro Government and the community into making Louisville a "safer, stronger and healthier city."
"That means a city where we all feel safe in every neighborhood, every business, every park, every bus stop," he said.
To strengthen public safety, Greenberg said the Louisville Metro Police Department needs to become "the best police department in America" by improving training and resources available to officers.
"Let me be clear, improving public safety is about much more than policing," he said, adding that his administration plans to expand on outreach, investment, communication and community violence intervention strategies.
"[It] means taking on historic challenges like poverty, substance abuse, childhood trauma, mental health, hopelessness, and all the factors that put too many people on a path that leads them to crime and tragedy," he said.
Greenberg wants to improve transparency, collaboration and accountability, not only at the police department, but across Metro Government.
"I expect every one of you here today, and everyone in the city of Louisville to hold me accountable," he said.
The new mayor also plans to create thousands of more affordable housing units and employment opportunities across the Metro, "because people need them all over our city." He stressed increasing investment in west Louisville.
"It's also essential that we consider racial justice and equity as part of every decision we make at Metro Government," Greenberg said. "There is so much we need to do because the promise of our city is still out of reach for far, far too many people. While some parts of our city are growing and thriving, there are neighborhoods that are hurting."
He added that he plans to back Beshear and advocate for universal pre-K in the General Assembly "to make this a reality."
Greenberg said to become a healthy city, it takes more than just reducing physical illness and requires officials to support the community's emotional and mental health needs, as well as, environmental health.
"We must become a leader in urban sustainability by reducing carbon emissions, embracing green technologies and striving for cleaner air, water and soil," he said.
It also means finding new ways to tackle the city's homeless crisis, he said, "in a way that's humane to people who are experiencing homelessness."
Greenberg said he is "excited and energized" for what's to come, including to reinvigorate downtown and make it easier for businesses to invest in the area.
"Moving our city in a new direction means we all have to move forward together for this to work," he said. "There are people in parts of our city, who don't feel like they're a part of our city. We have to change that starting now."
Greenberg says despite the unique challenges Louisville has faced over the last few years, including community distrust in the wake of Breonna Taylor's death, he believes the city has more promise compared to anywhere else in the country.
Greenberg is new to politics and has surrounded himself with senior leaders having a wealth of experience in local government, including Metro Council.
Members of Greenberg's senior leadership team: Deputy Mayors Barbara Sexton Smith and Dana Mayton, and Chief of Staff David Kaplan, began their new roles Monday.
Deputy Mayors David James and Nicole George, and Deputy Chief of Staff Keisha Dorsey will get to work later this week on Jan. 5.
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