SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Mayor Stephanie Miner gave her farewell address Friday afternoon at Syracuse University, reflecting on her eight years in office, including being the first woman to hold the position.

She spent a lot of time talking about gun violence in the city, and particularly during her early years. She says a number of programs have been put in place to address the issue.

Miner also touched on poverty, saying that it impacts all aspects of life including education -- something that has been addressed through the Say Yes program.

"Entice families to stay engaged in the educational system, by promising free college tuition, but most important, we used our resources to put various types of support in schools for students and their families to enhance opportunities for academic achievement," she said of the program.

Miner has ruled out a congressional run and will be taking a teaching position at NYU.

There are four candidates hoping to replace her including Democrat Juanita Perez Williams, independent Ben Walsh, Republican Laura Lavine and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins.