Promising to deliver the “most complete, most transparent transition” ever, Mayor John Peyton stood on the steps of City Hall and welcomed his successor, Mayor-Elect Alvin Brown. Mayor Peyton and his senior staff spent all morning with Brown’s family – wife Santhea and sons Joshua and Jordan – and the new mayor’s transition team.
Brown supporters began lining up in Hemming Plaza, some carrying campaign signs, an hour before the press conference began. The mayor and the mayor elect walked through the City Hall atrium and arrived on the steps to loud cheers from supporters and city employees. Mayor Peyton spoke first, welcoming Brown and congratulating him on a well-fought campaign. But he acknowledged with a laugh, “I know I am not the one you want to hear from today,” and welcomed Mayor-Elect Alvin Brown to the stage.
Brown began his comments with a pledge to unite the community behind him. He thanked his opponent in the race – former Tax Collector Mike Hogan – and reached out to the entire city, including Hogan supporters. “I’m very honored that the voters of Jacksonville trust me to lead this city”, said Brown to loud cheers from the crowd. “I’ll work to earn your trust.”
Mayor-Elect Brown and his transition staff are expected to begin working with Mayor Peyton’s staff immediately on transition issues, including a review of the functions and activities of each city department, key staffers, and preliminary work on the fast-approaching city budget.
Go to mayor-elect transition website.