With the swearing in of Jason Salamun, Rapid City formally has its new mayor. After a chaotic race, a close final tally and a recount, the new mayor says it's time to get to work.
Just moments after he received recognition for his years of service as a city council member, Jason Salamun was sworn in to be the city's next mayor.
Salamun saved his words with no official speech. Then, with himself and the newest members taking their seats, the new mayor turned his attention back to the council.
“Before we reconvene, I just want to congratulate the new city council members, welcome to the council," Salamun said. “City council, I have a question for you: Are y’all ready to get about the people’s business? Alright, let’s get to work. Next up on the agenda…”
Salamun has listed public safety as a top priority of the incoming administration, which was the subject of public comment at the meeting.
Outgoing mayor Steve Allender said he hopes Salamun understands and appreciates the weight of his new role.
“I’m going to spend my time saying this – this is a worthy organization," Allender said. "In fact, it’s the worthiest and the most noble of all of the elected officials. Our constituents are the same people we go shopping with and that we see driving down the streets every single day. If this isn’t already happening to Jason he’s going to find out in quick order people will feel plenty comfortable coming up and telling him all their problems. That’s the type of community interaction nobody will ever have with the President of the United States.”
Another piece of advice the outgoing mayor provided Salamun was a simple adage – “There are no emergencies in the mayor’s office.”