Big plans are in store for the City of Gainesville, according to the three city commissioners sworn in this afternoon.
Each made promises after he or she was sworn into office during a ceremony at the Thelma Boltin Center.
District 2 commissioner Harvey Ward took the seat vacated by a term-limited Todd Chase. Ward wants to move Gainesville City elections away from the month of March.
"It would have us elect city commissioners in even years in conjunction with the August primary," he said.
District 3 commissioner David Arreola — who defeated incumbent Craig Carter — wants to change Gainesville's racially-divided economy.
"It's going to take re-prioritization and sacrifice to address this issue, because I will not tell the next generation that we left this problem for them to solve."
At-Large District 2 commissioner Helen Warren, who was re-elected for a second term, said she believes solutions lie among the people of Gainesville.
"The problems are not unique, but we have people in this community who we are and can make solutions happen," she said.
The three found common ground on the significance of the University of Florida's strategic plan currently being developed in conjunction with city leaders.
