Paula Hicks-Hudson was officially sworn in as Toledo’s mayor on Tuesday before 400 people crammed into City Council chambers, where she had presided as council president before the death of Mayor D. Michael Collins.
Mayor Hicks-Hudson praised city workers for continuing to keep operations running normally after Mayor Collins' Feb. 1 cardiac arrest and his death five days later.
“During these times of uncertainty, the men and women who work for the city of Toledo, for the citizens, are the best,” the mayor said. “They have not missed a beat. The streets were cleared, fire runs were executed, and calls of service were made by the police. ... Through their grief and disbelief, they got the job done.”
The new mayor said the city administration must attract living-wage jobs, create livable spaces, and show young people that they can make Toledo their home.
The packed room applauded and cheered for the new mayor after she was sworn in by 6th District Court of Appeals Judge Arlene Singer.
Many acknowledged the tragic circumstance under which Ms. Hicks-Hudson took over, but at the same time expressed excitement.
Ray Wood, president of United Auto Workers Local 14 and president of the local chapter of the NAACP, praised the new mayor.
“She was a friend for labor when she wasn’t the mayor,” Mr. Wood said.
The swearing-in was a formality because as City Council president, Ms. Hicks-Hudson became acting mayor when Mayor Collins was incapacitated on Feb. 1, and then mayor when he died.
She will serve as mayor until at least November. After that, either she or a successor will be elected and certified to finish the remaining two years in Mr. Collins’ term. Ms. Hicks-Hudson said she is thinking about running, but has not decided.
Ms. Hicks-Hudson last ran for office in November, 2011, when she received 4,739 votes to win the District 4 council seat, which placed her fifth among the six councilmen winning election that year. Then-Councilman Collins received the most votes with 9,312 to win re-election to his District 2 council seat.
Council is accepting letters of interest to fill the District 4 council seat vacated by Mayor Hicks-Hudson. Council has until March 8 to fill the seat or the appointment falls to the mayor.
Councilman Jack Ford took over as council president pro tem. Council’s rules stipulate that the position rotates monthly in alphabetical order. Councilmen did not speak Tuesday about electing a permanent council president, who would take over as mayor if Ms. Hicks-Hudson resigned, became incapacitated, or died. Theresa M. Gabriel will be president pro tem next month.
Also on Tuesday, Toledo City Council presented a resolution of recognition to Evelyn Johnson and Andra Crisp for coming to Mayor Collins’ aid after he suffered the cardiac episode while driving home from a news conference and crashed into a utility pole. The two were given glass keys to the city, proclamations, and several donated items, including gift cards, Toledo Zoo memberships, University of Toledo men’s basketball tickets, and Metroparks of the Toledo Area memberships.
Contact Ignazio Messina at: imessina@theblade.com or 419-724-6171 or on Twitter @IgnazioMessina.
First Published February 18, 2015, 5:00 a.m.
