Lovely Warren was sworn-in as Rochester’s Mayor early Wednesday morning in a private ceremony at the University of Rochester Medical Center beside her grandfather Cecil McClary.
The 87 year old McClary suffered a stroke Christmas Eve and is receiving comfort care.
“Today, I begin one of the most important journeys of my life with obvious sadness tempered by profound feelings of blessed gratitude and humility,” Warren said, as a number of family members stood by at the swearing-in. “It is a bittersweet occasion, to say the least. But I am also thankful that as I look ahead to the challenges before my administration and me, I have been given this reminder that God is indeed very, very good. I believe this is my grandfather’s final lesson.”
Warren says that McClary had a key role in her decision to get involved in public service.
The ceremony was held at 12:01 a.m. in McClary’s hospital room. He held the Bible on which Warren rested her hand while Rochester City Court Judge Stephen Miller administered the oath of office
Warren said it was vitally important that her grandfather be with her at the first moments of her Mayoral term.
A public inauguration ceremony is scheduled for noon Saturday, Jan. 4 at the Auditorium Theatre on East Main Street.
Doors will open at 11 a.m. and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.