Officers Rotate in Burlingame

Terry Nagel handed over the reigns to Jerry Deal Monday night as the council underwent its annual officer rotation. Deal became the new mayor and Ann Keighran was installed as vice mayor. Deal and Nagel were additionally officially sworn in to office following their re-election on Nov. 8.

While Nagel had District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe swear her in, Deal took a different approach. He said last time he was sworn in to office, he found it difficult choosing one person for the task.

“Who said you can only have one?” Deal said. “I want everyone to swear me in.”

He had the oath handed out to the audience, who read it aloud and swore him in together.

As the new mayor, Deal said he plans to focus on economic development, maintain quality fire and police departments, stay diligent about high speed rail and work on pensions and unfunded liabilities while maintaining the quality of life in Burlingame.

“We’re really a team here, and we all have an equal vote,” he said. “My heart’s still in Burlingame…I may have been raised [in Redwood City], but Burlingame’s my town.”

Nagel took her last moments as mayor to reflect on the past year in Burlingame. Even though economic times are tough, Burlingame has retained its housing values, a low crime rate and high levels of City and government service.

“I know that this has been a really difficult year for a lot of people,” Nagel said. “In the City of Burlingame we are doing pretty well, and I think we need to be grateful for that.”

She cited new homes, new businesses, the new Safeway and new Mills Peninsula Medical Center as signs of progress in Burlingame. She noted green initiatives such as outlawing Styrofoam food containers and earning grants for streetscape and bike paths. She thanked the City Council, City employees and the people of Burlingame for all of their hard work.

“I think we have a remarkable hard working team,” Nagel said. “There are many challenges ahead for our city…but I think that if we set our minds to it, we really can make anything happen in Burlingame.”