Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski was inaugurated Jan. 4 at the Salt Lake City and County Building, becoming the 35th mayor of Utah’s capital city.
In her inaugural address, Mayor Biskupski spoke of Utah’s pioneering spirit, the importance of education and student support, among many other vital issues.
“We have world-class institutions producing the brightest minds and we have the know how to develop infrastructure that promotes and incubates innovation,” Biskupski says.
The new mayor pledges to work in the spirit of Utah’s pioneering heritage in areas of opportunity and development. Biskupski aims to tackle issues such as air quality, transportation, economic growth, environmental sustainability, inclusivity, arts and cultural awareness, and homelessness, with community support in the spirit of cooperation.
“As your Mayor, I commit to building an inclusive city worthy of the unique history and legacy of this place we call home,” Biskupski says.
Working with Salt Lake Community College
In an earlier interview with The Globe, Biskupski said “there’s much work to be done” and she is ready to explore and develop new partnerships — one of which she predicts will be with SLCC.*
“We, as a city, will partner with Salt Lake Community College. I promise,” Biskupski says. “Denise [SLCC President Huftalin] is great. She’s smart and we will do some great things. Just you wait and see.”
She cites the Unified Police Department’s Youth Cadet Program as one such example.
“I started a cadet program when I was with the County Sheriff’s Office and we created scholarships for higher education and POST training. And my [program] kids were using it to go to SLCC,” Biskupski explains. “Some kids go for four years and age out … It’s a pretty cool thing — winning scholarships. Many of them are first-generation college students.”
Excitement for the future
Former Utah State Senator and teacher Alicia Suazo says she is a big SLCC supporter and is excited about the potential of expanding scholarships for students in need.
“I am just elated. It’s been a long time coming and I wish her [Biskupski] the best in her administration and the city. It’s going to be great,” Suazo says.
David Litvack, the new Deputy Chief of Staff for Salt Lake City and public policy advisor for the Biskupski Administration, shares in the excitement.
“I’ve known her [Biskupski] for a number of years and know how caring and driven she is and the vision she has for the City. We can expect nothing but great things for years to come,” Litvack says.
Changing of the guard
Former two-term Mayor Ralph Becker said in a statement that, “Serving as mayor of Salt Lake City has been the richest working experience of my life. It has been an unparalleled privilege … I congratulate Jackie Biskupski on her strong campaign.”
Biskupski thanked Becker and her predecessors during her address and looked forward to serving Salt Lake City.
“I accept this awesome responsibility, and do so knowing I stand on the shoulders of those who have assumed this role before me and I do so with gratitude. I am ready. It is time. Let’s go to work.”
