Wallen@communitycommon.com

The general election held of Tuesday, November 3 brought fourth change in a in the Mayor of Portsmouth, Portsmouth. Residents of Portsmouth elected it's first woman mayor Jane Murray. On Thursday in a ceremony at the Scioto County Court House she was sworn-in as the mayor of Portsmouth.

"I've been hard at it for many weeks, since the election and even before," Murray said in response to the preparations being for the start of her term as mayor. "About the third or four week in January I will be delivering a state of the government address. We will be giving a very clear picture of problems and economic problems. I will also be giving some plans to address the problems we are in."

During the services she introduced members of a volunteer cabinet. She also named her Chief Of Staff Peter Mingus.

"It's important for me having worked in government, where I have had a lot of capable top level minds in specialized areas to try to bring that same quality to our office. With a very limited budget, i've gotten to know people who have been here and have been giving and serving as a part of who they are as a person. These people have great minds, have great capacities. They are my volunteer administrative cabinet," Murray said.

Members of the volunteer administrative cabinet are Hilda Drake, Callie Nelson, Alan G. Barlow, Rita Haider and Larry Essman. All of which will help and advise Murray on various issues in the City of Portsmouth.

"Today is a historic day. We are here to witness and celebrate our (Portsmouth's) first woman mayor," Zoe Richards, director of Main Street Portsmouth said. "She is the people's choice for our mayor. In order to move forward with revitalization and economic development we must support and encourage her efforts. Together we grow our community."

"We have a community that has a very rich history. We have seen it change over the decades. What we most want is a community that we enjoy, and one that we are proud to show to our visitors, our friends," Murray said. "It is my promise to you that I am going to give my every mental and physical effort to help this city."

She was sworn-in by local attorney Marilee Stephenson and will take office January 4.