Congresswomen Anna Eshoo and Jackie Speier, Redwood City Mayor Alicia Aguirre, Menlo Park Mayor Peter Ohtaki, East Palo Alto Mayor Ruben Ubrica, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe, and San Mateo County Manager John Maltbie were just a few of the public officials on hand for the swearing in of the newest County Supervisor, Warren Slocum of Redwood City, on Monday night.
The Fair Oaks Community Center in Redwood City was packed to standing-room only Monday night as the community welcomed its newest representative, whom Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) called "absolutely the right choice."
Slocum's wife, Redwood City School District trustee Maria Diaz-Slocum, and their two sons sat in the front row, proudly taking photos and video as Slocum was introduced by president of the Board of Supervisors, Adrienne Tissier, and the two Congresswomen.
Slocum started out thanking his new colleagues and the constituents who voted for him, and by presenting a big bouquet of roses to outgoing Supervisor Rose Jacobs-Gibson, whom Slocum is replacing as the representative from District 4, which includes Redwood City, Menlo Park, East Palo Alto and the unincorporated areas of North Fair Oaks and Oak Knoll.
Slocum then took the opportunity to deliver his first speech as Supervisor.
"I firmly believe we’re entering an exciting 'new Era,' where we have the opportunity and the responsibility to re-make county government and build a foundation that will carry us through generations to come," Slocum began.
"The important question is, if we want county government to be more nimble and effective - what does that look like, and how do we get from here to there?" he asked. "I believe the voters sent very clear messages on Nov. 6th."
Slocum began by saying that, by passing Measure A in the recent election - which raises sales tax in the county by one-half cent for 10 years - the voters have granted county government a short window with which to balance the county's budget and figure out how to make it more sustainable for the future thereafter.
"The voters have done their part, now it’s incumbent upon us to complete our part," he explained.
Most importantly, it's vital that everyone in local government learn to work together and cooperate to find creative and innovative solutions to current problems and concerns.
"In the future, we must be very focused on where we’re going and very flexible about how we get there," he said. "If we overlay our plans and work together in new ways, we just might see new opportunities for meaningful progress."
Slocum's speech met with a standing ovation from the packed audience.
See our video of Slocum being sworn in above.
