His year-long campaign over, Sean Ryan has, on Jan. 1, officially become Buffalo's new mayor.
Now, Ryan says, it is time to govern and lead.
Building off of his campaign mantra of "Building a Better Buffalo," Ryan said he knows he is walking into office where the city is facing a wide range of issues and problems.
"My eyes are wide open," Ryan said.
The first priority: Getting a true handle on Buffalo's financial picture.
The city is facing a $54 million budget deficit and Ryan acknowledges there are no easy or instant fixes. Any solution will be long term in nature and may include a property tax hike.
"Our first thing, our first priority is to get the budget under control," Ryan said.
The budget will be addressed, almost immediately, but so will other city functions including the basics like plowing streets after snow falls, fixing potholes, making sure garbage is picked up and making all neighborhoods safer and more welcoming.
"There is a frustration when people feel like the government isn't meeting their needs," Ryan said. "People want to feel respected (by government)."
Ryan has pledged to run an open and transparent government - from little things like posting his daily schedule to having his four-person deputy mayor team reach out to all departments and help the mayor answer questions.
"If we get that right, we will build trust," Ryan said.
With the pomp and circumstance of his inauguration over, Ryan said he and his administrative team will be working instantly on solving the deep pool of issues facing Buffalo.
Old ways of governing will be replaced an updated, Ryan said.
"I am choosing to build a new Buffalo," Ryan said.