His previous time as mayor was marred by split opinions, close votes and an occasional lack of consensus. But in his first speech as Hamilton's new mayor, Fred Eisenberger sent a clear message — he expects everybody to work together.
In a fairly light speech that touched on the need to create jobs and tend to infrastructure, Eisenberger emphasized that taxpayers expect council to work together. And he does too.
"They expect us to work together effectively, and always in good faith," Eisenberger said in his inaugural address during the ceremonial first council meeting on Wednesday. He was also mayor from 2006 to 2010.
'I think it would have been good for him to be here, but it's entirely his choice and I respect that.'- Mayor Fred Eisenberger on Bob Bratina's absence at the inaugural council meeting
"I consider myself fortunate and blessed to lead a council that is focused on working together to strengthen our municipal government."
The speech had some "subtle messages" in it, said Terry Whitehead, who was sworn in Wednesday for another term as Ward 8 councillor.
"That was pretty clear," he said. "I think the general theme was cooperation."
Eisenberger "has a style all his own," Whitehead said.
"Some (inaugural speeches) are very inspirational. Others are probably a little more sterile but to the point in regards to providing a direct message not only to the councillors but to the community."
And which was Eisenberger's?
"It was a good speech," Whitehead said.
Eisenberger gave the oath of allegiance, as did 15 ward councillors, four of which are new.
'An emotional experience'
Matthew Green of Ward 3 became Hamilton's first black city councillor. Aidan Johnson of Ward 1 became Hamilton's first openly gay councillor.
Former Stoney Creek councillor Doug Conley gave his oath for Ward 9. Arlene VanderBeek, a former Dundas town councillor, will represent Ward 13.
It was "an emotional experience" filing into the council chambers, Green said.
'Hamilton is going to be known four years from now a lot more than it's known now.'- Doug Conley, Ward 9
"I was thinking about all the people who put all the hours in," he said of his campaign volunteers. "Just gratitude."
Johnson felt "full of joy and full of hope" as he read the oath.
'Deep, sacred meaning'
"I was thinking about all the important things we have to do in this term of council, and I was thinking about the very deep, sacred meaning of those words."
Conley predicted that "Hamilton is going to be known four years from now a lot more than it's known now."
Most councillors cited jobs, building the tax base and infrastructure as priorities for the next four years. So did VanderBeek.
"We need to get good paying jobs into the city," VanderBeek said. She'd also like to see more "people living in the downtown core."
Outgoing mayor Bob Bratina was noticeably absent at Wednesday's meeting. Eisenberger said he was "neither here nor there" on Bratina's decision not to attend.
Brad Clark doesn't know if he'll stay in politics
"I think it would have been good for him to be here, but it's entirely his choice and I respect that."
Brad Clark attended Wednesday's meeting. He served as Ward 9 councillor before losing to Eisenberger in the mayoral race in October.
"I honestly don't know," Clark said of what he'll do now.
Eisenberger "did very well" in his speech, he said. As for whether he has hard feelings, "Oh God, no," he said. "I'm proud of all of them. They're all great people."
He'd like to see the new council "really push the economy," he said. "We really need to bring new revenue to the city and bring in new business, and it has to be all hands on deck."
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