In his inaugural mayoral address, Drew Dilkens says council's role is projecting, planning and being bold.

Dilkens was officially sworn in as Windsor’s new mayor at a special ceremony at the Chrysler Theatre Monday night, along with the 10 members of council.

New leadership often means different ideas on how to run things, but that's not the case with Dilkens.

He's complimentary of what's been accomplished over the last decade as a councillor and says he wants to build on that success.

“Over the next 48 months, the new members of city council will come to understand the complexities of governing a city whose annual gross expenditures are nearly three quarters of a billion dollars,” says Dilkens.

Always a numbers man, Dilkens spoke of the importance of staying the course set by the previous council - reducing debt, building reserves and freezing residential property taxes - to create a climate for investment and job creation.

But he says equally important is job retention.

“Do not overlook or undervalue the efforts required to sustain our primary industries,” says Dilkens. “The direct jobs and indirect jobs associated with these industries comprise the backbone of our community.”

The automotive industry is crucial not only to Windsor, but the region as a whole.

Dilkens says the city and Essex County will only prosper as a region when they start working together that way.

"This is not a game of us versus them, but rather us versus the world," says Dilkens. “A stronger region will better position us to be competitive on a global basis."

He also challenged his colleagues on city council to create a long-term 20-year vision for the city.

"My challenge to this council is to continue to think big,” says Dilkens. “As we tackle the important day-to-day matters, think of our city on a grand scale, as a place where people choose to live."

Dilkens won't have to wait 20 years to face common challenges. Within the next four years every contract with every bargaining unit at the City of Windsor will expire. He has committed to an open door, open dialogue policy with employees and unions in that process.

"I want all of our bargaining units to know that, as mayor, I will take an active role in ensuring that all negotiated agreements are fair. Fair for our employees, but most importantly, fair to our major shareholders, the taxpayers of the City of Windsor."

Five new members of city council were also sworn in Monday night, including Fred Francis, John Elliott, Rino Bortolin, Chris Holt and Paul Borrelli.

“I'm excited for the next four years,” says Dilkens. “Together, all of us, we will build a better Windsor."