Kenney takes office, saying he’s ready to work for Philadelphians

Philadelphia officially has a new mayor. 

“We together as Philadelphians can make every neighborhood in Philadelphia the best that it can be,” said Jim Kenney, the city’s 99th mayor during inaugural ceremonies at the Academy of Music Monday morning.

“God bless you, and let’s go to work,” he said, indicating his eagerness to begin the job he won by a landslide in November.

Kenney, who took the oath of office ahead of schedule, and offered a brief preview of his administrative aims, telling the crowd at the Academy the city needs better schools.

“In order to make quality schools in every neighborhood a reality, we will need the private sector and our nonprofit sector to come together to create neighborhood schools,” he said.

Kenney, 57, pledged to deliver city services to all neighborhoods.  He is signing an array of executive orders Monday, including one that limits cooperation with federal immigration officials.

Council President Darrell Clarke was elected to lead the city’s legislative body for another term, saying much work awaits in all city neighborhoods.

“We cannot feel good about vacant lots and blighted conditions that are still part of some landscapes,” he said. “We have to fix that.”

Council members also elected a new majority leader with Bobby Henon replacing Curtis Jones.