2009: Sharon! Redux

Way back in September 2008, these buttons started appearing on mayoral supporters who handed out goodies at the Senior Center.

This display later turned up in the window of a Front Street photography shop.

Next a banner, complete with campaign button, was hung on the front of City Hall in April. After candidates cried foul, red tape was placed over the "for Mayor" part.

Never mind that these cards promoting the mayor's pet event did not say what time it was, they did have the all-important campaign image.

And so it went. SRB won a second term as the city's first female African-American mayor and will be sworn in tomorrow (Jan. 1, 2010). Those who voted for her will be jubilant. Those who didn't are hoping she will put governance over goodies this time around.

To her credit, the mayor did manage to produce a new, city-owned senior center, something promised but not delivered by several of her predecessors. She also takes credit for the low murder rate in 2009. Still to come are improvements to the city web site, an IT department, better local cable programming, development and a few other things.

One novelty in 2009 has been the number of bloggers, including some elected officials, who are monitoring her administration. Cabinet members for 2010-14 are expected to be named at the annual reorganization, 1 p.m. New Year's Day in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.

--Bernice Paglia