(WPRI) — Newly elected mayors were sworn into office Monday in two Rhode Island cities.
Republican Ken Hopkins was inaugurated as the mayor of Cranston Monday night. He was sworn in by outgoing Mayor Allan Fung in the City Council chambers alongside members of his family.
Central Falls Mayor-elect Maria Rivera is the first woman to take the oath of office in that city.
Rivera, who previously served as City Council president, said she hopes to inspire more Latinas to run for office.
Central Falls also recently received vaccines for residents, which Rivera says is just the start for the city hit hardest by coronavirus.
“My focus has to be the health and safety of our community,” she said.
Warwick Mayor-elect Frank Picozzi is scheduled to be sworn in on Tuesday.
Facing pandemic related issues, Picozzi says there are unnecessary obstacles causing burdens for residents when it comes to economic opportunities.
“Warwick has a horrible reputation of not being business friendly for people opening new businesses here,” he said.
The incoming mayors appear optimistic as they take office, crediting the individuals they’ve recently named to head offices within the city for that optimism.
