The 63rd mayor of New Orleans is now officially in office.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris administered the oath of office to new mayor Helena Moreno during this morning's swearing-in ceremony. After taking her oath, Moreno laid out her plan for the next four years.
"I ran for this job because I believe in what New Orleans can be," Moreno said to the assembled crowd of local, state, and federal elected officials and supporters. "This is our time to build that functional city that we all deserve. Together, we will build a New Orleans that is safe, where we can drive down the street without busting up the car."
Mayor Moreno said she plans to work hand-in-hand with the city council, state and federal lawmakers, and others in government to help reshape New Orleans's future. Moreno said wants to mold New Orleans into a city where its residents, young and old, have limitless opportunities for success.
The end goal, she says, is to see those opportunities lead to population growth in the city.
"I know that as your mayor, I will certainly be scrutinized, but let me be clear, the biggest outcome that matters to me is that you can always call New Orleans home and, for those of who have moved away, to see that now is the time to come on back."
Moreno acknowledged that she will face challenges in trying to transform the Crescent City.
"It's not going to happen overnight, but I'll stop at nothing to get it done," Moreno said. "To accomplish this, we must do this together. Divided, we fall."
However, Moreno said nothing will stop her from doing what voters elected her to do: rebuild the city's infrastructure, make the city safer, and make to make city government more efficient."
"When there is a will, there is a way," Moreno said.
Minutes before swearing in Moreno, former Vice President Harris gave Moreno a ringing endorsement.
"Helena, I know you will be a mayor who will lead with integrity, with courage, and with the people of New Orleans at the center of your work," Harris said.
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