Mayor Keefe’s inaugural speech: Move Revere forward through resident satisfaction

By Barbara Taormina

Revere opened the 2024 term of city government with pomp, color, a deep bench of distinguished guests and inspirational messages at a New Year’s Day inauguration ceremony.

Six new city councillors, two new members of the school committee and newly elected Mayor Patrick Keefe were among the officials sworn in by City Clerk Ashley Melnick.

Let. Governor Kim Driscoll told elected officials, “It’s an honor people came together to put you in office.”

Driscoll then told the audience at Susan B. Anthony School, “These are the leaders you rely on to make decisions that impact your quality of life.”

And to the entire room she said, “Revere is special, people of different cultures with different languages come together.

“The success of Revere is the success of the Commonwealth. You can count on us as allies.”

State Auditor Diana Dizoglio then spoke to the audience.

“We need to say a huge thank you to you for showing up to support these elected officials,” she said adding, “Coming together is so important, this is what community looks like.”

Dizoglio said Revere should celebrate there are “amazing folks who serve the community out of love.”

The police and fire department color guards lit up the auditorium with a display of flags and Revere High graduate Olivia Freni sang a lush version of the national anthem.

New City Councillors Paul Argenzio, Chris Giannino, Robert Haas, III, Juan Pablo Jaramillo, Angela Guarino Sawaya and Michelle Kelly were sworn into their first terms on the council. Anthony Caggiano and Anthony Mattera took their first oaths as members of the school committee and Patrick Keefe was officially sworn in as mayor.

Keefe called the day the start of a four-year assignment.

“I want to revitalize our commitment to the way we get things done,” he said.

Keefe spoke about convening a panel of local leaders and experts to help move Revere forward.

“We want to focus on how we can propel Revere on even a higher trajectory,” he said.

Keefe said he wanted to know what the people of Revere want and that resident satisfaction is the most important indication of success. He vowed to welcome new ideas and stand ever ready to listen to ideas different from his own.

“Believe in Revere,” Keefe urged, “Because we have so much to believe in.”