Sunday brought a New Year – a new look – and new hope for the City of Newburgh as Judy Kennedy was sworn in as the city’s latest mayor at ceremonies at the Newburgh Activity Center before a crowd of about 125 people.

Newburgh City Judge R. Harold Ramsey administers the oath of office to Mayor Judy Kennedy, Sunday, at the City of Newburgh Activities Center.

Kennedy and fellow Democrats Cedric Brown and Gay Lee took their oaths of office on a hopeful note, asking citizens to join with them in their effort to turn this beleaguered city around.

Kennedy first dipped a toe into the political waters a year ago, joining a growing crescendo of opposition to major tax increases reluctantly approved by the prior City Council. Kennedy was part of a group of taxpayers who gathered at St. George’s Church to start a petition drive urging the Legislature to take over Newburgh government.

In the end, three members of that City Council suffered the consequences of that tax increase. Mayor Nicholas Valentine chose not to seek a third 4-year term as mayor, Councilwoman Marge Bell chose not to run for re-election, and Councilwoman Christine Bello was defeated by Kennedy in November’s race for mayor.

At the beginning of a new year, Kennedy said she plans to seek ways to motivate citizens to move the city in a more positive direction.

“Stop focusing on old grievances,” she appealed to constituents. “Focus instead on making changes the city needs to move ahead.”

She specifically mentioned Newburgh Community Action teams, which she believes will lead to mutual aid and cooperation. She announced the first of a series of Community Action Team meetings for Jan. 26 at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center. She proposes that each team tackle an issue – for instance, working with landlords and tenants, marketing the city or creating a safer city.

Kennedy also urged religious leaders to join in a year of prayer for the city, to “heal the anger and distrust that has plagued us for decades.”

Many of the city’s religious leaders were present to hear her appeal.

Father Bill Scafidi spoke of the hope that former President John F. Kennedy brought to America when he urged Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

Fr. Bill then called on local residents to “put their hearts and hands towards a common good.”

Other religious leaders present for the ceremony on Sunday were Rabbi Philip Weintraub, Imam Dr. Salahuddin M. Muhammed and Bishop Jeffrey Woody. They each stressed the need for citizens to work together to bring change to Newburgh.

Looking out at her audience, Kennedy said she could see the future right before her.

“The solution is right here,” she suggested.

Jobs figure to be an ongoing theme for the new council. On Sunday, Lee set the tone by saying that she wants to give city residents better access to jobs in the city. It’s a theme that has been steadily championed by returning Councilman Curlie Dillard.

“Our people will be able to apply for jobs and get considered first,” Lee said.

She said she would see to it that the city “is not run on the backs of the property taxpayers.”

Brown said he wants to find ways of cutting costs while increasing revenues. One possibility would be to share resources with surrounding communities. He also wants to increase the city’s focus on housing and providing better futures for the city’s youth.