Ganim's first goals will be to lower taxes, increase police presence and improve education in Bridgeport.
Former Bridgeport mayor and convicted felon Joe Ganim is once again mayor of Bridgeport.
No longer the "former mayor," Ganim's swearing-in ceremony Tuesday night at Klein Memorial Auditorium capped off a stunning political comeback, since serving seven years in prison for public corruption during his first term as mayor from 1991 to 2003.
Ganim, a Democrat, said his first goals as mayor will be to lower taxes, increase police presence, and improve education in Bridgeport. He also said he wanted to improve the city's economy.
"Bridgeport, our great city, needs to be a city of good jobs and good wages," Ganim said during his inaugural speech. "Bridgeport needs to be a city where every child can attain a 21st-century education."
Paul Timpanelli, CEO of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, told WNPR in November that he'd like to see Ganim focus on some high-profile development efforts already underway, including Steelpointe Harbor, the Ecotechnology Park, Downtown North, and the redevelopment of the train station.
Timpanelli also told WNPR that he wants the Business Council involved in moving Ganim's administration in the right direction.
"We hope to be able to bring the new mayor together with Bridgeport development, investment, and business communities, so that he can present his case and they can listen, and we can build confidence quickly," Timpanelli said. "That’s number one, and number two, I think everybody’s clearly waiting to see who the new mayor surrounds himself with."
In his inaugural speech, Ganim said that he sought redemption from voters for his past mistakes.
"I've learned that in America, if you're true to a cause, work hard, and are not afraid to ask for a second chance, you can find that moment of redemption," Ganim said.
During his election victory speech on November 2, Ganim said he always hoped to serve Bridgeport someday.
"Some have called this a comeback story but for me, this is a city I feel I never left," Ganim said during his speech. "I never stopped caring about the challenges that people face in every neighborhood. I never stopped thinking that maybe one day we could begin the work that we're going to begin today of moving this city forward again."
He appointed a new director of governmental accountability -- one of the FBI agents who helped to lock him up.
Leyda Quast is an intern at WNPR. Diane Orson and WSHU Public Radio contributed to this report.
