Read the complete text of the written portion of Antioch Mayor Wright’s oath of office speech
Saturday, December 10th, 2016
Antioch’s new Mayor Sean Wright receives a standing ovation from his fellow council members, City Clerk Arne Simonsen and the audience after taking his seat and the reorganization of the council, Thursday night, December 8, 2016.
Following is the written portion of the speech offered by Dr. Sean Wright, the new Mayor of Antioch following his oath of office, Thursday night, December 8, 2016
Wright’s son Tyler of Boy Scout Troop 493, leads the posting of the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance to begin the ceremonies, Thursday night.
“The oath that I have taken tonight is the same oath that was taken by many Mayors of Antioch for over 100 years. I assume this position after one of the closest Mayoral elections this town has ever seen. I will start my term with nervous trepidation of the things that I don’t know that I don’t know and optimistic excitement of the vision that I have for Antioch.
I am acutely aware that I did not win in a landslide and that 65% of the voters voted for someone other than me. I am also aware that 65% of you voted for change. My goal is to bring us together as one Antioch and guide us to the future that we all desire for our town whether you have lived here forever or recently joined us. I ask you to confirm me as your Mayor with your prayers. And I hope that such prayers will be the first of many.
I sought this opportunity and understand the enormous responsibility. Thank you to those who supported me with your time, donations and dedication in a campaign that never seemed to end. My supporters were diverse in party, age, gender and ethnicity and truly represented the Antioch that I will serve. Some were friends already and some became my friends as we toiled together to share our message. It is only fitting then that I should pledge to you that I will be a Mayor of all the people.
Gandhi once said that the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others and Muhammad Ali taught that service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. I am excited for the opportunity to continue my service to this community in this important role.
Led by coral director Michelle Stark, the Divine Voices of Deer Valley High School sang the national anthem at the beginning of the ceremonies, Thursday night.
I believe that truth is the glue that holds government together and keeps government accountable. Transparency is the prism by which we share that truth and I look forward to working with you to gain your trust. Whether it is Measure C, the Downtown Specific Plan, our police department and our caring for animals I look to help shed light, find solutions and bring us together.
In all my public and private acts as your Mayor, I expect to follow my instincts of openness and candor with full confidence that honesty is always the best policy in the end.
Friends and neighbors a change is coming to Antioch.
Our government works; elections give us a voice. The people do rule. But there is a higher power, by whatever name we honor him I ask for his help and your prayers. Let us honor, respect and listen to one another as we come together to improve our city and our home.
In the beginning, I asked you to pray for me. Before closing, I ask again your prayers, for those that served this city with all of their hearts. Thank you to Mayor Wade Harper and Councilwoman Mary Rocha for their years of service.
I pray for the wisdom of Solomon and affirm to you my promise to do my best to serve this city with all my heart, mind and strength and to make Antioch the place that our friends want to live.”
