Mayor James A. Young pledged to lead Philadelphia proudly, honorably and righteously shortly after taking the oath of office Friday morning.
The city's first African-American mayor said voters called for change and they got it.
"Today is the beginning of that change," Young said in remarks on the south steps of the Neshoba County Courthouse before a crowd of about 300 in the broiling sun. "Today is the beginning of moving forward in Philadelphia, Miss."
Young said that Philadelphia was now on the map for the right things and for the right reasons. He pledged to be a mayor not only for the 1,021 residents who voted for him but for all those who did not.
Forty-five years ago last month three young men registering blacks to vote were murdered by the Ku Klux Klan in Neshoba County, a brutal act that notoriously thrust Philadelphia into an international spotlight.
"I am your mayor," he said. "I am going to lead you with honesty, integrity and righteousness. You said you wanted somebody that is going to treat you fair. You said you wanted somebody that is going to represent everybody. You said you wanted change. You got it.
"We are going to move. We are going to work, we are going to pray. We are going to fuss and we may fight but the job is going to get done in Philadelphia."
The crowd began to gather under the magnolia trees on the courthouse lawn by 9 a.m., many bearing lawn chairs and umbrellas to shield the sun.
Several of Young's most vocal supporters waved signs saying: "We love you," "We got the key" and "Papa said great day in the morning."
Todd Mosley, the leader of Young's transition team who served as emcee for the inauguration, pointed out to those in attendance that the Choctaw flag was presented for the first time along with the state and national flags by the color guard.
"We are a three-legged stool in this community," Mosley said. "We are Choctaw, we are black, we are white. You cannot stand on a three-legged stool with one leg broken. We are a three-legged stool."
After taking his oath, Young addressed the crowd, becoming emotional at times, especially when he spoke of his late parents.
He had to pause and wipe tears from his eyes as he remembered his parents, and spoke of his dear friend, the late Kenneth Coleman, Philadelphia's first African American fire chief who died last year.
"It's alright, real men cry!" a woman in the audience shouted.
He had to stop his speech several times amid applause and celebratory shouts from supporters.
As he began to speak, a woman in the audience collapsed, causing a minor comotion, but Young, a paramedic who led the county ambulance service for decades, was unshaken as a siren wailed and first responders almost immediately came to her aid.
On the eve of the Fourth of July, Young first remembered those serving in the armed forces and their families and then he spoke about the constitution.
"The constitution means a whole lot when it is applied equally to everyone that dwells under it," he said. "Today is a sign that Philadelphia, the state of Mississippi, and the United States of America are finally coming to terms with the constitution - that all men are created equally and are to be served equally."
Early in his campaign for mayor, Young was told by many that he could not make a difference, that there was too much against him and that Philadelphia could never elect a black man.
"It's all over now," Young said. "Philadelphia told the world that we are not what we used to be. We are not what the people said we were. I think a lot of mouths are closed and a lot of eyes are opened."
The honeymoon is now over, he said.
"Now we get down to leading and running this city," Young said.
The new mayor pledged "to do things right" when he takes office.
"Some of us are not used to doing things right, just used to doing things. I say today, we are going to do it right. To the 1,021 that voted for me and all the others who did not: I am your mayor. I am going to lead you with honesty, integrity and righteousness."
Chancery Court Judge J. Max Kilpatrick administered the oaths of office to the city's five aldermen and then to Young, with his wife, Cheryl, by his side.
Among the special guests during the swearing in ceremony was Miko Beasley Denson, leader of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
"We are very much happy to be a part of this historical day," Denson said. "We congratulate newly elected Mayor Young. I know that he will do an excellent job. For him to be elected is a historical day for the city of Philadelphia. We want to be part of the town, community and Neshoba County. It's a great day."
Brief congratulatory remarks were also given by Choctaw Princess Tia Anderson, Tribal Council member Lola Parkerson and Miss East Central Mississippi Elizabeth Bailey.
Select members of Neshoba Central, Choctaw Central and Philadelphia high school bands presented the national anthem. The Rev. Tonya Ware sang The Lord's Prayer.
Bishop Clifton Jones delivered the opening prayer while the Rev. Curt Pace closed the event with prayer and a benediction.
Afterwards, Mayor Young and his wife walked to City Hall surrounded by family members and other supporters.
After Young and his family went inside, the group of supporters sang "We've Come This Far By Faith," a song that has long been associated with the civil rights movement.
