KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | Dan Sullivan sworn in as Anchorage mayor
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Dan Sullivan became the seventh elected mayor since unifaction on Wednesday. (Jason Kohler/KTUU-DT)
Among the former mayors in attendance included Assmblyman Matt Claman, far right, and Sen. Mark Begich, second from right. (Jason Kohler/KTUU-DT)
Dan Sullivan is the son of former Mayor George Sullivan, center in wheelchair, for whom the Sullivan Arena is named. (Jason Kohler/KTUU-DT)by Andrew Hinkelman and Jason Lamb
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Dan Sullivan became the Municipality of Anchorage's seventh mayor Wednesday, taking the oath of office during a ceremony at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts.
Sullivan succeeds Matt Claman, who assumed mayoral duties on an acting basis after former Mayor Mark Begich resigned to take his seat in the United States Senate in January.
A supportive crowd turned out downtown to witness the swearing in ceremony. Sullivan arrived with a bagpipe and Marine color guard escort. After a performance of the national anthem, a singing of "Alaska's Flag" and other pomp and circumstance, Alaska Superior Court Judge Stephanie Joannides administered the oath of office.
"Can the mayor take credit for the weather? If so, I'm off to a great start," Sullivan joked as he opened his remarks as the newly minted mayor.
"We will take immediate action to control city spending, including the implementation of an immediate hiring freeze, curtailing all travel, strict management of overtime, and elimination of unnecessary expenses and positions," Sullivan said from prepared remarks.
Several dignitaries were in attendance, including former Mayors Jack Roderick, Gov. Tony Knowles, Tom Fink, Rick Mystrom, George Weurch, Matt Claman and Sen. Mark Begich, along with Dan Sullivan's father George, for whom the Sullivan Arena is named.
"Anchorage residents can be assured that the management of their city is in very experienced hands, and it's just this kind of experienced leadership that we need during these challenging times," Sullivan said.
Sullivan -- won a run-off election with Eric Croft on May 5. They were the two highest vote-getters in April's general election, which failed to see any one candidate in a crowded field garner at least 45 percent of the vote, although Sullivan came close, necessitating a run-off.
Contact the Channel 2 News room at news_desk@ktuu.com
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