KINGSTON, N.Y. -- On Friday, Steve Noble was officially sworn in as Kingston's next mayor.
“We are going to be a city that works for them and that they can feel open to communicating to us and we’re going to do everything we can,” said Noble.
Noble won the Democratic primary over the incumbent, Shayne Gallo in September. Two months later, Noble went on to beat Republican candidate Ronald Polacco in the mayoral election.
“A focus of our administration is going to be working to improve communication, working to make sure we connect with residents as many ways as we can,” Noble said.
Along with improving communications, Noble says the city will also work with small businesses to improve the economy. He also says updating the city's aging infrastructure will be a top priority.
“We’ve got failing systems," Noble said. "We’re an old city and so we really need to know what our situation is with all of our pipes. It’s not sexy, but it’s work that needs to be done.”
“We’re always so close to grabbing the golden ring," said James Noble, Kingston Common Council Alderman-at-Large. "I think maybe these next four years will just get us to get that and the city will prosper.”
James Noble, a Democrat, is also Steve Noble's uncle.
“Through the last eight months, he’s proven himself that he’s able to handle the position and I have a lot of confidence in him,” said James.
“I think with all change, comes a little uncertainly," said Bill Carey, Kingston Common Council Majority Leader. "But I think there’s a lot of hope up there in the room and a lot of optimism.”
As Steve Noble takes office, one of his first decisions will be whether or not the city will move forward with a lawsuit against contractors in the Pike Plan. It was a plan aimed to renovated old canopies in the Uptown business district.
The litigation was filed by Gallo, just as he left office.
“I’m excited to be able to do that and be able to learn more information about what he’s filed and then be able to talk to all of the stakeholders that are involved and make a decision from there,” Steve Noble said.