CLEVELAND — Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb marked his first 100 days in office by delivering the State of the City address Wednesday night.
The speech took place in Silver Hall at the Maltz Performing Arts Center at Case Western Reserve University, where Bibb attended law school. Hundreds of business and civic leaders, public officials, and residents were in attendance.
"We said that 'Cleveland can't wait,' and we meant it" Bibb said, echoing his famous campaign slogan. "Cleveland, the wait for change is over."
In his remarks, the mayor listed progresses attacking the lead poisoning crisis and the pandemic, pushing police reforms, and passing an ambitious budget, albeit one that relies on federal money. He also took credit for launching new conversations around the waterfront development.
"Irishtown Bend," he declared, "and finally, finally exploring the future of Burke Lakefront Airport as well, too."
Bibb said safety remains his top priority, and noted how his tenure has been shaped by death of police officer Shane Bartek, who was killed during a carjacking 48 hours before Bibb took office.
"In that moment, everything else fell away," the mayor said of Bartek's murder. "In that moment, I had one job: Show up with empathy for a family in shock, stand together with officers who had just lost a brother, and speak up for our community. ... I think about Officer Bartek and his family every single day."
Bibb also acknowledged his missteps, including the city's poor response the Martin Luther King Jr. Day snowstorm that saw some communities hit by as many as 15 inches. He said he "learned the hard way" that the city's snow removal plans needed to change.
"The truth is, we fell short, and I fell short," he admitted. "I did not promise to you that I would be a perfect mayor, but I did make this promised: I promised that I would give you my best every single day."
The mayor also took questions from Cleveland residents, which people were able to submit in advance. However, there was a big part of his job left out of the speech: his oversight of the city schools.
Bibb didn't talk about it or mention CMSD CEO Eric Gordon, and as someone who has covered 20 years of such speeches, 3News' Mark Naymik found it unusual.
Following the address, Naymik asked Bibb what his plans are for schools and why it was left out. He said his team is still analyzing the schools and will talk more about plans soon, adding that his relationship Gordon is "great."
MORE HEADLINES:
- RELATED: Meeting the mayor: A look at Justin Bibb’s appointment calendar | Mark Naymik Reports
- RELATED: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb named commencement speaker for Case Western Reserve University
- RELATED: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb endorses Rep. Shontel Brown for reelection to Congress
- RELATED: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, US Senator Sherrod Brown go door-to-door to promote child tax credit