Mayor Misty Buscher’s inauguration speech, as forwarded from organizers:

Good Afternoon,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank some very important
people in the audience. My parents, Charles and Veronica Tozer are
here. They believed in me every step of the way. My daughter,
Courtney, she tells me I inspire her, but to know her, you would
know it is the opposite, she inspires me. My son and his wife,
Anthony & Krystal along with my beautiful grandchildren they are
the place I go to, to get away, smile, laugh and relax, thank you. My
husband Mike, it is so hard to limit all that he does in one sentence,
but without his love, faith and wisdom I would not be whole. And
finally, if you participate in any of today’s events, the prayer
service, this inauguration or the gala tonight, your experience
would not be possible without the hard work of Val Yazell and
Debbie Thompson. Val and Debbie we thank you.
There are people on this stage who are history makers, like Illinois
Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White and former Mayor Karen
Hasara, people who bring smiles to your face like Melanie Dennison
or people who bring others together in a calm organized fashion
like former Sheriff Neil Williamson. These leaders, who like the
thirteen elected officials on this stage all have a purpose that drives
them. That purpose might be non tangible like, equality, fairness,
togetherness, or that purpose might be tangible like development,
growth and opportunity. But one thing I know for sure, these
thirteen elected officials are YOUR team for the next four years
Springfield.
This team consisting of Alderman Redpath, Alderman Gregory,
Alderman Williams, Alderman Rockford, Alderwoman Purchase,
Alderwoman Notriano, Alderman Carlson, Alderwoman Conley,
Alderman Donelan, Alderman Hanauer, Clerk Lesko, Treasurer
Redpath Feger and myself are here to create equality, fairness,
togetherness, development, growth and opportunity for the
residents of Springfield.
The future is bright with these thirteen elected officials. The
election is over, it is time for the work to begin. We are nonpartisan
– without bias or partisan. We will govern as we are designed,
nonpartisan. We are a team that will work together to reach
common goals. We are Illinoisans and Americans who want to see
Springfield grow.
Team, I would like to share with you a quote by Abby Wambach,
because this is our vision for the next four years. “I never scored a
goal in my life without getting a pass from someone else.” The
Mayor cannot score a goal, without getting a pass or many passes
from the other members of the team that are the other twelve
elected officials. We are team Springfield, we are going to make
many goals, together. Our Team that the citizens have elected are
going to take our passions and turn them into actions for a better
Springfield.
I am proud to stand here today, shoulder to shoulder with this team
that is going to make magic happen in Springfield.
As I wrap up, I want to leave with a quote that I say often, from the
inspirational Jim Rohn. “All of us need each of us”. All of us have
to understand how important and how much value each of us
brings. Our Team could not be complete without each and every
one of us. Team, Thank you for taking the step to create a greater
city for all of us.
Thank you and god bless