New New Castle County leader sworn in [video]

    (Photo courtesy of Matt Meyer)

    (Photo courtesy of Matt Meyer)

    Matt Meyer was sworn in earlier this morning, officially becoming New Castle County’s county executive.

    “It’s a tremendous opportunity and honor to serve as your county executive,” said Meyer, in a speech following the swearing in at the Garfield Park PAL Center in New Castle. “I pledge that my team and I will do so with honesty, with transparency and with efficiency.”

    Meyer addressed some of the challenges he said the county and its residents face, which include a controversial land-use policy, a struggling county economy and statewide budget deficit and a growing heroin epidemic. 

    In spite of those challenges, Meyer spoke of his optimism in taking on those challenges.

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    “To borrow a phrase from former President Bill Clinton, there is nothing wrong with New Castle County that cannot be fixed by what is right with New Castle County,” Meyer said. “To all those families who today face extraordinary pain and uncertainty, to those who have watched this election cycle in hopes of a better day, yes, we can do better. It starts by working together, being more innovative and addressing our most intransigent problems, with a new vision and collective commitment.”

    Meyer beat Republican Mark Blake in November’s general election; the Democrat unseated incumbent Tom Gordon in the September primary.

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