By Rit Carter

Mayoral inaugurals speak to where we have been, where we are, and where we may be headed. In Bristol, the first ceremony took place on Oct. 3, 1904, in front of a sparse crowd in the city clerk’s office. Over the years, it has evolved to large celebrations in high school auditoriums with honor guards, bands and singers.

By the time the ceremony begins, the combativeness of the campaign is cast aside, albeit briefly. Generally, the speeches speak to a better Bristol and of bi-bipartisan cooperation. Mayor James P. Casey said at his inaugural in 1957 that “the problems faced in the next two years would be met with a democratic, bipartisan approach designed to promote the greatest possible good for the majority of our people.”

In November of 2013, newly sworn-in Mayor Ken Cockayne spoke to downtown revitalization at his inaugural and stated, “I extend my hand, I pledge to work across party lines to get this done for Bristol.”

Ellen Zoppo-Sassu spoke in broader terms during her 2017 inauguration at Bristol Eastern High School, “Everyone who has the best interest of Bristol is welcome at the table. I believe diversity in background and in opinion can be our greatest strength.”

Mayor Bill Stortz’s inaugural address in 1991 clocked in at 30 minutes, while James Cray, elected in 1913, made no speech. He took the oath of office in the clerk’s office and then signed checks.

Bristol’s inaugurals were held during the day and until the late 1970s at city hall. Since then, they’ve primarily been at night in school gymnasiums to accommodate as many people as possible, although in 1969, J. Harwood Norton, Bristol’s 12^th mayor, wanted to take the oath of office outdoors. However, it moved indoors due to cold weather and the threat of rain. This year Mayor Jeff Caggiano chose Liberty Baptist Church, a first.

Today receptions are in the building of the event, but years ago, receptions were done off sight. Henry J. Wojtusik had his 1965 reception at the Disabled American Veterans home on Riverside Ave. In contrast, Frank Longo in 1971 went to the West End Athletic Club, and Michael Werner had an inauguration ball at the Bristol Armory in January 1978.

A partial list of Bristol’s inaugurals are below: