Alameda City Hall: New Officials Sworn In

It was meeting night at City Hall, but it wasn't about development or the budget.

At least not directly.

At Tuesday's council meeting there was a shuffling of seats. Former Councilperson  was sworn in as Alameda's new mayor; outgoing Mayor Beverly Johnson took the oath of office before taking her new seat on council.

 began her second council term and Rob Bonta, who is the city's new vice mayor, was sworn in for the first time, the only new face of the five.

"I welcome Rob Bonta and his dedication," said Councilperson , who has two years left on a second council term, "and I'm looking forward to working with you."

After what was a , Tuesday night's prevailing themes were of reconcilation and congeniality. 

"There is no way we can go forth except together," said Councilperson Lena Tam, who  of Brown Act violations to retain her seat. "We can't afford to stand still or step backward."

"I believe that one of the lessons that has to be learned from the campaign is that truth is the glue that holds our community together," said Tam.

Bonta, who was the in a crowded field of council candidates, also stressed the importance of working together both on the council and within the community.

"I know that we definitely have many difficult challenges in the years ahead," Bonta said, "but I know working together we can find solutions to those challenges."

State Assembly representative Sandre Swanson and outgoing Alameda County Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker also addressed the council, honoring Johnson's two terms as mayor and outgoing two-term Councilperson .  

"Alameda has been lucky to have you," said Swanson of Matarrese, speaking on behalf of himself and Alameda's state senator, Loni Hancock. "Your work ethic, your very high principles, your attention to detail... I think the city of Alameda owes you a tremendous debt of gratitude."

Swanson commended Johnson, who he said he has enjoyed working with over many years. "You have done an outstanding job, and not just because as movie goer I don't have to go to Emeryville anymore," Swanson.

The city also issued resolutions commending Matarrese and Johnson.

Johnson served four years as a councilwoman, from 1998 to 2002, and then eight years as mayor, from 2002 to 2010. She served on the planning board before earning a seat on council. 

"We're going to be blessed with having Beverly for at least another two years," said deHaan after reading a detailed resolution in her honor, and we'll "have that knowledge base moving forward."

Johnson said she's pleased with recent changes to Alameda.

"Our community had gone through years of deterioration and blight and no improvements and this council has been able to make a lot of positive changes and make our community a better place to live," said Johnson. 

"It's difficult to make changes some times," said Johnson. "Sometimes it isn't until after the fact people say, 'Yeah that was a good idea.'"

"A lot of the changes this council has made have been like that," Johnson said.

"I want to thank this community from the bottom of my heart," said newly installed Mayor Gilmore. "I look forward to not only the challenges, but also the opportunities that this community faces."