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January 9, 2004/Tevet 15 5764, Vol. 56, No. 16
Opportunity and education crown Gordon agenda
BARRY COHEN
Editor
Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon explains that his Grandpa Jake taught him everything he needed to learn in life.
Jake was a Lithuanian immigrant who came alone to this country, penniless and without knowing how to speak English, Gordon told an audience of approximately 1,300 assembled for his inauguration at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix on Jan. 5.
"But he did understand that this was his land of opportunity and knew that hard work and responsibility were the principles that this New World embraced.
"In a simple and eloquent way, I learned everything I needed to know by the example he set and the life he led," to love, to learn, to work hard and to keep hoping, Gordon said.
"I am living his American dream, and I want to help our children and grandchildren live that same dream," he said.
At the two-hour ceremony, Gordon shared the "cornerstone ideas" of his administration, including opportunity and education.
"Phoenix is a beacon of opportunity in our nation," he said, because people come to the Valley for a "fresh start" and "a new way of life."
Gordon said people come to Phoenix for the same reason immigrants come to the United States - "because all people, all races, all religions and cultures are welcome here."
He also touted the new higher education campus to be constructed in downtown Phoenix.
Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University and Maricopa Colleges will combine resources to develop the urban campus to provide skills for "new economy jobs" in medicine, high technology, bio-research and aerospace, Gordon explained.
He challenged the audience and the people of Arizona with a call he repeated during his mayoral election cam-paign: "Buy a bench and put it on your front porch."
"Sit outside. Get to know your neighbor. Watch who comes and goes. Know who is alone, who has children, who doesn't belong in the neighborhood," he urged.
Gov. Janet Napolitano and Republican Sen. John McCain made remarks at the inaugural event.
Napolitano noted that Gordon's best quality is that "he is a listener, a good listener."
During Gordon's five years as a councilman, "Phoenix residents found a virtual welcome mat on his doorstep," she said.
McCain spoke of Gordon's political energy.
"I have not known a more energetic public servant in my political career than Phil Gordon, and I am deeply grateful for his engaging the noblest of causes - that is, serving the public - and making it possible for families like mine to grow up in this marvelously beautiful city," said McCain.
In addition to Gordon, four newly-elected city council members were sworn in: Dave Siebert (District 1), Peggy Bilstein (District 3), Claude Mattox (District 5) and Doug Lingner (District 7). Gordon, Phoenix's 51st mayor, will serve a four-year term, and the council members will serve four-year terms.
After Arizona Supreme Court Justice Andrew Hurwitz led Gordon's swearing-in ceremony, Gordon presented retiring Mayor Skip Rimsza with a photo collage with Rimsza in the center, surrounded by photos of every councilman who served with him.
Also part of the inauguration ceremony was an interfaith invocation led by seven clergy, including Rabbi Albert Plotkin of Temple Beth Israel.
Gordon is Phoenix's first Jewish mayor.
Inauguration attendee George Weisz, former chief of staff for Gov. Jane Hull and current special assistant for criminal justice on assignment to the Arizona Department of Corrections, noted how Gordon focused his remarks on the people of Phoenix.
"Instead of talking about infrastructure and those kinds of details ... he talked about people," said Weisz.
He said that while challenges concerning finances, construction and transportation lie ahead for Gordon, "if he keeps the focus on people ... he'll have a successful run."
Contact the writer at barry_cohen@jewishaz.com.
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