Mayor Ron Nirenberg delivered his farewell address to San Antonio before Mayor-elect Gina Ortiz Jones takes over next week.
SAN ANTONIO — More work to be done. That was one of Mayor Ron Nirenberg’s main points in his final farewell to the City of San Antonio on Monday.
After his eight-year run as mayor of San Antonio, Mayor-elect Gina Ortiz Jones will officially take over the role near the end of June.
Nirenberg noted the wins for the city during his eight years as mayor but reminded everyone of what has yet to be done.
“Poverty will take generations to heal, so long as there is one resident without a home, there are still more homes to repair and build,” Nirenberg said.
Nirenberg noted the decrease in homelessness, crime rates going down and jobs going up under his leadership as mayor for nearly a decade.
“We were forced to reconcile with the fact that San Antonio had a severe underemployment problem – that’s why so many were considered the working poor,” he said.
He even made a nudge to the ongoing construction.
“Yeah, pardon the dust but we are busy building the best damn city in the United States,” said Nirenberg.
Reminiscing over his time with the City Council, Nirenberg made his way out to the hall where a portrait was unveiled.
A reminder of the legacy not finished but one the mayor-elect will have to see out.
“Keep reaching higher for yourself San Antonio… Under their leadership, I hope for San Antonio to continue its steady march toward a more resilient and prosperous and equitable city for all.”
Mayor-elect Gina Ortiz Jones will be sworn in next week, on June 18.
We requested to speak with the mayor-elect but she was not in attendance Monday and plans to speak Tuesday.