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The Regency Ballroom at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel was buzzing with excitement on Jan. 2 as John C. Tkazyik was sworn in as the new mayor of Poughkeepsie. With more than 300 guests making for a standing-room only crowd, the obvious “people’s mayor” greeted guests and audience members with handshakes and smiles while waiting for the formal procedures to begin.
New York Supreme Court Justice Christine A. Sproat provided the Oath of Office for both the Common Council and the mayor, recollecting memories of the Tkazyik family and her admiration for them throughout the years. The mayor’s mother and father, as well as his girlfriend, joined him on stage for the formalities.
During his address, Tkazyik reminded the audience that, “Today is not the day to talk about what divides us, but what unites us,” as he called to mind some broad issues facing Poughkeepsie and many cities throughout the U.S.
“No person should be without a warm place to sleep, every child should be afforded an education,” and citizens should be able to “safely walk the streets and parks,” he said. Showing his penchant for the citizens that elected him, Tkazyik spoke to the diverse audience:
“Let us celebrate our differences, let us treat each other as we’d like to be treated – with respect and civility.”
When asked what he thought about the title “Boy Wonder” floating through the air during the ceremony, Tkazyik joked, “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult,” and returned to the tenets of his speech. “I’m excited, really, to get to work with the Common Council and to move the city of Poughkeepsie forward,” he said.
Tim Massie, chief of public affairs for Marist College, believes that this mayor has the, “potential to be one of the great mayors for the City of Poughkeepsie. He has the interests of the city at heart, is honest and full of integrity,” he said.
Being the second-youngest mayor in the city’s history, Massie said he believes “his youth is an asset, and can be a good bridge for the city” as well as an “opportunity to build a consensus.” Tom Parise (R-1st Ward), the only other Republican on the council, said he was also looking forward to getting started.
“I’m pleased to be working with John as mayor. The city is moving forward and it’s time to look at the new Poughkeepsie.”
Those in attendance were treated to a buffet-style lunch following the proceedings, and were on hand to celebrate the mayor’s inauguration. Steve Super, commemorating the event with his daughter Jaxson Lily, was on the mayor’s campaign committee. “It’s a great day for us, the committee, and for John,” he said after the ceremony.
Campaigning door-to-door and being at the inauguration seemed to be exciting for toddler Jaxson, who summed up the day’s events with two short words that everyone in the room, young and old alike, seemed to agree on: “He’s nice.”
