Mayor Ted Wheeler calls for inclusive Portland in inauguration ceremony

Mayor Ted Wheeler called for a more inclusive Portland after he publicly accepted his position as Portland's 53rd mayor in an inauguration ceremony at Jason Lee Elementary School Wednesday.

Holding the ceremony in a northeast Portland location was deliberate, Wheeler said during his speech. He said he wants to make Portland "a city that works for everyone."

"The challenges, the issues of east Portland, are the challenges of all of Portland," he said.

Homelessness, police accountability and housing affordability, affect the entire community, he said.

When it comes to condemning racism, sexism and homophobia, Wheeler said, "talk is cheap."

"We have to be more intentional and more deliberate," he said. "We have to nurture and support the idea of pluralism."

It is incumbent on city governments and communities to do so.

"If we cannot make it work here, what does that say about the future of our community and what does that say about the future of our nation?" Wheeler said.

The ceremony included words from pastors, the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty, a representative of Oregon's native tribes and a disruption from protestors yelling "no more sweeps."

Jason Lee Elementary School students prompted Wheeler during his oath.

Wheeler said children like his 10-year-old daughter and those at Jason Lee Elementary school make him want to create a better future.

"It's cliche," Wheeler acknowledged. "We've heard it a million times. You know why? Because the children are our future."

The event followed Wheeler's first day on the job, during which he attached commissioners to the bureaus they will manage until April and took over three of the city's most complicated and high-profile bureaus.

Wheeler will manage the Housing Bureau and Police Bureau, two offices central to his campaign promises to increase affordable housing and police accountability.

Wheeler brings executive, financial and political experience to the mayor's office. He started his political career ten years ago when he became the Multnomah County Chair and helped get the county's budget back on track. Gov. Ted Kulongoski appointed Wheeler state treasurer in 2010. Wheeler helped develop Oregon's first retirement savings program as treasurer. He also tried but failed to reform the state's investment oversight.

Before entering politics, Wheeler worked as a financial analyst and directed an investment firm. He has a degree from Stanford, an MBA from Columbia and a degree from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.

Wheeler plans to apply that experience to tackle some Portland's most challenging issues.

"Action is what matters," he said Wednesday. "I know you will hold me accountable."

--Jessica Floum

503-221-8036

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